By TERRY MADDAFORD
Former world No 3 Mary Pierce remains on the list of players Richard Palmer hopes to lure to next month's international tournament at Stanley St.
Palmer, tournament director and operations manager for Auckland tennis, expects to announce the December 30-January 4 ASB Classic field next week, with Pierce, Amanda Coetzer, Magdalena Maleeva and Iva Majoli still on his wish list.
He has also had contact with Justine Henin, but has had no decision.
On the more definite list is defending champion and world No 16 Anna Smashnova, who could be the top seed.
"You always live in hope that a big name will turn up," Palmer said. "Even without that, we will have the strongest field ever.
"On present indications we should have one player in the top 20, four between 20 and 30, and the other three seeds inside the top 35.
"On the present list, it seems certain the 24 direct entries will all come from inside the world's top 77. Last year we were in the 80s."
Popular Russian Elena Likhovtseva, the top seed in Auckland a couple of years ago, is another in the "almost certain" category, but with a ranking of 42 she will be unseeded this time.
Tennis: Pierce on tournament wish list
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