Tennis: Russians strengthen women's line-up

Elena Likhovtseva made the semifinals of this year's French Open. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The chances of a breakthrough tournament win for the Russians became even stronger yesterday with news that world No 17 Elena Likhovtseva will return to Auckland for January's women's classic.

The Russians already held a strong hand with ASB Classic top seed, world No 9 Nadia Petrova, Maria Kirilenko, Vera Dushevina and Vera Zvonareva - all in the world's top 42 - signed up.

But Likhovtseva's last-minute entry has boosted the list further, with the 30-year-old from Moscow taking second seeding and pushing Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova (ranked 19th) back to third.

"Elena's entry came out of the blue," said tournament director Richard Palmer. "We are delighted she is coming back as she has been one of the most popular players to come here."

It will be a chance for Likhovtseva, on her fourth visit, to wipe out memories of her last appearance on centre court at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre.

After being knocked out in the second round of the singles in 2003, Likhovtseva and Cara Black - the top seeds - cruised through to the doubles final where they were expected to win comfortably.

After losing the first set to unheralded Teryn Ashley and Abigail Spears, the favourites won the second before dropping the third 0-6.

Likhovtseva's best result this year came at the French Open where she was beaten by hometown favourite Mary Pierce in the semifinals.

Twenty-five of the 32-strong field were confirmed yesterday.

The last of the eight seeded players, Marion Bartoli is ranked 40th in the world giving the Classic one of its highest cut-offs for seeds in the event's 21 years.

With three players in the top 20 it equals the event's previous best lineup but with Petrova heading the list, the overall standard is the highest.

Defending champion Katarina Srebotnik is seeded fifth but there is no seeding for Zvonareva.

Another late entry, former top 10 and No 1 doubles player Paola Suarez (Argentina) has been handed entry on a special ranking of 55 even though she dropped outside the top 200 while sidelined through injury.

Two spots have gone to winners of US$50,000 tournaments which guaranteed direct entry here. Olga Blahotova (Czech Republic) and Yulia Beygelzimer (Ukraine) won in Italy and Mexico respectively.

"With such a quality field there is the prospect of all kinds of top match-ups even in the first round," said Palmer. "With Zvonareva, Meghann Shaughnessy, Shahar Peer, Suarez and Eleni Daniilidou all unseeded who knows what could happen."

Rising New Zealand star Marina Erakovic has been given a wildcard but Palmer said she was almost certain to be the only local player assured a main draw spot.

He is just as likely to give all four wildcards into the qualifying tournament to New Zealanders.