Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams, ranked World No18, enjoyed a powhiri and a glimpse of Maori culture through hongi, waiata and speeches.

Venus Williams, back for another crack at New Zealand's women's tennis prize, says she intends to do "a whole lot better" at next week's ASB Classic tournament.

Serbian Ana Ivanovic is a strong possibility to be named as the top seed for January's ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland this afternoon.

One of the biggest names in world sport, Venus Williams, will return for the 2015 ASB Classic as part of the NZ Festival of Tennis.

It might be just the first tournament of the year, when players are a little rusty after the off-season, but there are positive signs.

It took some time to get going but Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams eventually delivered a final worthy of two former world No 1s.

It is the final most hoped would eventuate, with two former world No 1s and grand slam champions squaring off against each other.

A lot of tennis players have superstitions and Ana Ivanovic has one of which she's not particularly proud.

After a day of upsets yesterday, two of the three remaining seeds at the ASB Classic cruised into the quarter-finals today, while Venus Williams survived a tough three-setter.

The first seed has fallen from the ASB Classic, with Mona Barthel defeated in straight sets by Yvonne Meusburger in today's opening round at Stanley St.

ASB Classic tournament organisers have laid on the royal treatment for glamorous tennis star Ana Ivanovic.

Tennis star Venus Williams has already won the ASB Classic - in her dreams.

Most eyes at next week's ASB Classic will be on Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic but the doubles draw has the pedigree to pull some attention away from the big guns.

Seven times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has been confirmed for Auckland's ASB Classic.

ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge is a big fan of Ana Ivanovic but he probably wouldn't mind too much if she lost a few matches in the coming weeks.

Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic will headline the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland at the end of the year.

If you work for ASB and you are in Takapuna's Sovereign House, Albany's C:Drive or are about to move into ASB North Wharf at Wynyard Quarter, then lucky you.