Tennis: Top signing tipped for Classic

Italian Flavia Pennetta is tipped to be unveiled today as one of the big name signings for next year's ASB tennis Classic.

Tournament organisers will announce a marquee signing for the Auckland event, promising a player ranked inside the world's top 15.

If confirmed, Pennetta would be a major coup for the tournament.

The 27-year-old Italian star has had an impressive season, reaching a career-high ranking of 10 in August this year when she reached the quarter-finals of the US Open before being overcome by No 2 seed Serena Williams.

Now with a world ranking of 12, Pennetta would be one of the top seeds at next year's tournament, but organisers are still hopeful of luring more top-quality players to Auckland.

The 2006 winner and long time Classic supporter, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, currently ranked 11, could possibly return to the tournament.

Another player whose name has been floated is world No 10 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.

World No 15 Li Na and last year's beaten finalist Elena Vesnina have already confirmed their places in what is shaping as a classy field for the tournament's 25th anniversary.