Tennis: Five to watch for ASB Classic

Petra Kvitova. Photo / Getty Images

While more-favoured contenders like Flavia Pennetta, Li Na, Elena Vesnina, Aravane Rezai, Virginie Razzano and Yanina Wickmayer are the subject of most discussion at the ASB Classic, there are several "roughies" who could be worth watching for those who like surprises.

1. Anna Chakvetadze-(Russia)

The only woman in this field who has beaten both Venus and Serena Williams, the little 22-year-old Russian has been battling injuries and inconsistent form that sees her now ranked 67th in the world after being rated as high as 5th.

Doesn't have a power game but likes hardcourt. She has made the quarter-finals of the Australian and French Opens and the semifinals of the US Open. Has won US$3.5m in prize money and if she is on her way back, she will be a handful for anyone here.

2. Alize Cornet-(France)

Briefly infamous for outraging former Australian tennis great Margaret Court with a revealing top at a Perth tournament recently, Cornet takes on Marina Erakovic in the first round and will be a difficult opponent. Only 19, Cornet (ranked 49th in the world) is on the way up again, took a set off Serena Williams in the 2008 US Open, and went into last year's Australian Open as 15th seed, making the fourth round before losing to Dinara Safina against whom she had two match points. Loves clay but growing in stature on hardcourt.

3. Dominika Cibulkova-(Slovakia)

A semifinalist at the French Open, 20-year-old Cibulkova, like Chakvetadze, has been recovering from injuries after making it to 12th in the world. Now ranked 28th, she is a dangerous opponent if she is on song. She has beaten Venus Williams though she bombed out of Wimbledon in the first round in 2008 (beaten by Maria Sharapova) and got to the fourth round of last year's Australian Open before losing to Elena Dementieva, who won the ASB last year.

4. Petra Kvitova-(Czech Republic)

Ranked 61st in the world, this 19-year-old shot to prominence by beating Safina in the US Open to get through to the fourth round last year before being beaten by Yanina Wickmayer. Has also made the fourth round at Roland Garros.

5. Magdalene Rybarikova-(Slovakia)

Now 21, and ranked 44th in the world, she has beaten Caroline Wozniacki and made the third round of last year's US Open before losing to Venus Williams.