Tennis: Wickmayer, Isner returning to Auckland

Last year's ASB Classic champion Yanina Wickmayer. Photo / Brett Phibbs

American John Isner and Belgian Yanina Wickmayer will both return to Auckland in January to defend international tennis titles won this year.

The 2.06m Isner, ranked 20th in the world, has confirmed he will return for the Heineken Open on January 10-15.

Likewise, Wickmayer, also ranked 20th, will defend her ASB Classic title on January 3-8.

Isner's maiden ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) title in Auckland at the start of this year ignited a solid season for the American, who reached four other finals and starred in the longest professional match on record at Wimbledon in London when he spent 665 minutes on court before beating Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68 in a first round marathon.

"John Isner really is a big name in the sport after some quite remarkable results in 2010. No one will ever forget Wimbledon and his win at the Heineken Open captured the crowd's imagination," Heineken Open tournament director Richard Palmer said today.

"He's one of the nice guys of the tour and making four finals during the year proves he's a player of real substance. Having been ranked as high as 18 in July this year you get the feeling Isner could be on the verge of something big with his ranking."

Palmer also confirmed the return of Wickmayer for the women's tournament.

"It's great to get our defending champion returning, especially when Yanina is ranked in the world's top 20 players," he said.

- NZPA