Tennis: Wozniacki back for ASB Classic

Former world women's tennis No1 Caroline Wozniacki will return for another shot at the ASB Classic.

She will appear at the Auckland event for the fifth time, after losing the 2015 final to Venus Williams.

Wozniacki, 27, was knocked out in a semifinal last year and has reached the last eight on her other visits, but has yet to lift the trophy.

The Danes announcement yesterday comes off the back of a scintillating start to the Asian swing which has seen her capture her 26th WTA career title in Japan, beating world No1 Garbine Muguruza in straight sets to qualify for the WTA's crown jewel Season Ending Championships in Singapore.

Wozniacki has returned to her best form, and importantly, sits inside the top 10 in the WTA rankings (at No6).

Her impressive year has included six WTA Tour final appearances, five of which were at the premier level.

The victory in Tokyo means she has now captured at least one title every year for the last 10 years on the WTA Tour.

Wozniacki is eager to get back to the City of Sails.

"I really wanted to come back. I feel like I have played really well in New Zealand, making the semifinals and a final," she said in a statement.

"I wanted to come back for the winners trophy next year."

"It is such a special place to play. It is one of the best stops on the tour. The crowds are always so supportive and full right from day one. You don't get that in many tournaments."

Wozniacki, who was top of the WTA rankings for 67 weeks in 2010 and 2011, reached the final in Toronto in August, and has also made deciders in Bastad, Eastbourne, Miami, Dubai and Doha, as well as the last eight at Roland Garros.

Her popularity off the court has seen Wozniacki become the face of adidas by Stella McCartney.

"We have a great relationship with Caroline and we were always confident we would be able to see her return. We made a commitment to her last year that we would get her back and are thrilled it has come off," tournament director Karl Budge said.

"She has been great for us every year that she has been here, and I think she deserves another shot at the title."

Meanwhile, Wozniacki's close friend 13th-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska has also signed on to play in January's event.

The pair have been good friends since their junior careers, with Wozniacki attending Radwanska's wedding earlier this year.

On court, Wozniacki holds an 11-6 advantage over her friend.

• The ASB Classic will span two weeks; the women's tournament from January 1-6; the men's from January 8-13.