Tennis: Jones to play at Wellington

New Zealand tennis No 1 Sacha Jones is currently ranking 268 in the world. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand tennis No 1 Sacha Jones will play a tournament on home soil for the first time in more than two years after confirming her entry to the US$25,000 ($33,200) women's Challenger tournament at Wellington next month.

Jones, currently ranking 268 in the world, has not played in New Zealand since the ASB Classic in 2008. She has been plagued by injuries during that time, though she managed to win a singles title at a Challenger tournament at Alice Springs, Australia this year.

New Zealand No 2 Marina Erakovic, may also make an appearance at the tournament, with the final cutoff for entries next week.

Among the other players confirmed is world No 43 Jarmila Groth, a Slovak-born Australian. The 23-year-old won a WTA singles title at Guangzhou, China, earlier this year and reached the fourth round singles at both the French Open and Wimbledon.

In the men's Futures event, to be played at the same time, the entry list is headed by Australian Brydan Klein, ranked 247 in the world.

New Zealander Michael Venus is likely to be the third seed with a ranking of 304. His Davis Cup teammate Rubin Statham is also in the main draw.

The tournaments, to be played from November 16-21, are part of an Australasian circuit.

Several players from New Zealand will be aiming to force their claims for wildcards into next year's ASB Classic and Heineken Open tournaments at Auckland, as well as earning WTA and ATP international ranking points.

- NZPA