Tennis: Russian given wildcard for ASB Classic

Russian Lina Krasnoroutskaya has been given the second main draw wildcard for the ASB Classic women's tennis tournament starting in Auckland on Monday.

Krasnoroutskaya, 20, is ranked 141st in the world but has been as high as 25 a year ago before having a season ruined by injuries such as a wrist sprain. She still managed to make the third round of the Australian Open.

The highlight of the Russian's career was in 2000 where as a 17-year-old she made the quarterfinals of the French Open at Roland Garros.

She has represented Russia in the Fed Cup and has been ranked as high as 22 in the world in doubles.

In 1999 Kransnoroutskaya was named the ITF junior world champion and won US Open junior title the same year.

She achieved her career-best singles win at the Canadian Open in 2003, beating then-world No 1 Kim Clijsters en route to her first-ever singles final.

"Lina is a talented player who I believe could bring something special to the ASB Classic, this year and in the future," said ASB Classic tournament director, Richard Palmer.

"She has a proven record on the WTA Tour having made the quarters of a Grand Slam at age 17 plus she has been ranked as high as 25."

The other main draw singles wildcard has already been granted to young New Zealander Marina Erakovic.

New Zealand No 1 Shelley Stephens, who is ranked at 375, receives a singles wildcard into the qualifying draw as does Aucklander Tracey O'Connor.

The qualifying matches will be held this weekend.

- NZPA