Tennis: French Open finalist eyes slot at Auckland tourney

Two years ago Martin Verkerk was good enough to go all the way to the French Open final.

Next month he will have to play qualifying at the Heineken Open - and needed a wildcard to get there.

Troubled by a major shoulder injury, the tall, big-serving Dutchman has not played a tournament since July last year.

Verkerk, 28, was ranked a career-high 13 in the world in September 2003 after playing Juan Carlos Ferrero in the Roland Garros final when coached by New Zealander Nick Carr.

Having since fallen off the ATP radar, he needed the generosity of Open tournament director Graham Pearce to re-ignite his career in the January 7-9 qualifiers.

"To have a player of his quality in the Heineken Open qualifying will add real interest to qualifying," said Pearce.

"Playing in the Sovereign singles at the Heineken Open is an ideal opportunity to get his career back on track."

Verkerk's only other appearance at the Open, also in 2003, ended quickly when beaten in a tight first-round match by Gustavo Kuerten.

A week before the men's qualifiers, the qualifying games for the women's ASB Classic will be played. Young Aucklander Kairangi Vano is now almost assured of a place in that draw.

Vano forced Classic tournament director Richard Palmer's hand yesterday with her victory in the national junior (under-18) championship.

Second seed Vano beat top seed Shona Lee 6-4, 6-4 to claim her first triumph at that level. Lee, 17, has a WTA world ranking of 717.

Fifth seed Andrew Allan (Auckland) raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set of the boys' final against Marcus Daniell (Wairarapa) but then needed to win the tiebreak for the set. Allan took the tight second set 7-5.