Tennis: Palmer upbeat about landing stars for Classic

Up to five of the world's leading women tennis players look set to grace Auckland courts next year for the ASB Classic.

Tournament director Richard Palmer told NZPA today he had been in contact with five top-25 players and was confident of securing at least three of them for the January 2-7 Classic.

'I'm reasonably upbeat that we could get two or three of them and possibly a fourth," Palmer said.

"We should be in a position to make an announcement over the next seven to 10 days."

Palmer refused to speculate on who the players might be, but did did confirm Russian and world No.43 Katarina Srebotnik would return to defend her title, while former champion and world No.66 Eleni Danilidou had said she would play.

Although it was still to be ratified, leading New Zealand women's player Marina Erakovic looked a certainty to gain one of two singles wildcards for New Zealand players after a stunning year on the seniors circuit rising to 210.

Palmer said promising junior Sacha Jones, 14, could possibly gain the second wildcard after making some impressive performances on the seniors challenger circuit this year.

The full field had to be settled by November 22, but any chance of securing a top-10 player were dashed last month when most of the stars confirmed they would be playing tournaments in Australia and Asia ahead of the year's first grand slam in Melbourne.

The possibility of elevating the status of the Classic to a tier three tournament with the lure of greater prizemoney and ranking points was quashed when Palmer conceded it was no longer on the agenda after the issue was raised last month.

- NZPA