Eleni Daniilidou is one of the players who add colour to the WTA tour. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Eleni Daniilidou is one of the players who add colour to the WTA tour. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Eleni Daniilidou reckons Auckland is as good a place as any to start her tennis year, and she knows the place better than most on the WTA circuit.

This is her fifth straight visit, and as long as the good vibes remain, expect to see the expressive Greek log up several more appearances at the ASB Classic, which starts today.

After all, two of her four WTA singles titles were won here, in 2003-04, and her bid to become the only three-time Classic winner begins with a potentially awkward clash against Croatia's Jelena Kostanic late this afternoon.

"I love it here," she said yesterday, dodging the raindrops at the ASB Tennis Centre in Parnell.

"I have no doubts whether to come here or not, I feel really comfortable."

The Auckland crowds took the 24-year-old to their hearts as she beat Korean Yoon Jeong Cho, then American Ashley Harkleroad in back-to-back finals.

And she won plenty of sympathy when she was bounced out in tears by Italian Mara Santangelo in the first round of 2005.

This time, the seventh seed arrives on the back of a good year, during which she achieved her goal of breaking back into the top 40.

She reached No 36 and won her fourth singles title, beating two seeds above her in Auckland this week, No 5 Vera Zvonareva and defending champion and fourth seed Marion Bartoli, en route to victory in Seoul in September.

She changed coaches in mid-season, and is relishing working with German Daniel Merkert. Early on in the year it was all "ups and downs, but then I started playing again how I want to".

Daniilidou did some time playing in qualifying events, which was physically and mentally draining. Now her sights are set on regaining her top 20 spot, her career high being No 14 in May 2003.

Battling injuries has made her a better competitor, she believes, and having a strong personality helps when times are tough.

Indeed, Daniilidou reckons personality is what makes the women's tour more appealing than the men's equivalent.

"The women's tour is better than men's. We have more personalities on court, so it's good for the sport."

And Daniilidou is prime among those who add colour to the circuit.

She has a difficult start today. Jankovic is No 51 and the Greek has won all four of their past meetings.