By TERRY MADDAFORD
The women might be the glamour attraction for tennis fans this summer, but the men have posted the first "sold-out" sign.
Auckland Tennis chief executive Graham Pearce yesterday said that finals day for the Heineken Open - January 12 - has been sold out.
"It is the first time this far out we have had that," said Pearce.
There have been heavy sales for that week's Monday-Tuesday package, when spectators are guaranteed of seeing all the players in action.
They include top seeds Marat Safin and Goran Ivanisevic and wildcard Michael Chang.
There has also been considerable interest in the Thursday and Friday (quarter-finals and semifinals) sessions.
Until the draw is made on the Sunday afternoon (January 6) Pearce will not be able to say who will play when.
"We have players coming from other tournaments that week," said Pearce.
"Until they arrive, we can't say who will play on the first day."
The open offers $US375,000 ($900,000) prizemoney, including a $US45,500 winner's cheque.
The December 31-January 5 ASB Bank Classic has attracted unprecedented interest, and 80 per cent of available tickets are sold.
Tournament director Richard Palmer said three stands for the Tuesday-Wednesday package - which guaranteed spectators of seeing Anna Kournikova in action - were sold out.
"There are just a few seats left in the temporary uncovered stand."
Chang has been guaranteed one of three wildcards for the open.
Pearce will not reveal where the others are headed, but says one is still likely to go to New Zealand's top-ranked player.
Palmer has already given one of his two wildcards to Pavlina Nola.
The other is also likely to go to a New Zealander, probably Shelley Stephens, who is at 285 on the latest Sanex WTA rankings.
Four other New Zealanders - almost certainly including Leanne Baker (397), Ilke Gers (386) and Tracey O'Connor (445) - are candidates for wildcards into the qualifying tournament.
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