Tennis: Jaded Petrova arrives in Auckland

ASB Classic tennis top seed Nadia Petrova arrived in Auckland yesterday with plenty of time to acclimatise after a marathon series of flights from Moscow.

The world No 9 from Russia, who won her first singles title in October, is aiming to become the first winner from her nation in Auckland but will have to take some time to get over her flight.

"It was very hard. I didn't sleep a minute... I saw a lot of movies," said Petrova, 23.

The tournament starts in Auckland on January 2.

"I always do come to tournaments early, especially for somewhere like New Zealand which is so much time difference and the weather is different.

"I'll try to enjoy this time as much as I can. Maybe I can have a look around. I enjoyed fishing very much when I was younger.

Other main draw players start arriving in Auckland on Boxing Day.

- NZPA