Stephens, who will contest today's second ASB Classic semifinal, was marked out for greatness from an early age.

Today Tamira Paszek will play her seventh match in seven days.

Nick Kyrgios has a new secret weapon behind the scenes but he's not telling who it is.

Herald tennis writer Michael Burgess provides regular updates from the fourth day at the ASB Classic.

Shaun Johnson bluffs his way into Caroline Wozniacki's press conference - and cheekiness ensues.

"That was in if you want to challenge it"

Nobody expected Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic to be gone so soon, especially given their outstanding performances here in the past, writes Michael.

Things really got heated when Naomi Broady and Jelena Ostapenko clashed.

Relive all the action as Michael Burgess provided regular updates from the third day at the ASB Classic.

Kiwi's tournament may be over, but there are at least positive signs for the rest of 2016.

From the Middle East to New Zealand, the official tennis season has hit off again after its brief hibernation.

Injured defending champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International.

There will be a strange feeling at Stanley Street today. Defending champion Venus Williams is gone, dumped by unheralded Russian Daria Kasatkina.

Tennis fans have taken to social media to voice their disappointment but tournament director Karl Budge says you can't control player results.

British outsider who defeated Ana Ivanovic says her friends back home were more interested in the fact that she had faced soccer star's girlfriend.

Marina Erakovic has progressed to the second round of the ASB Classic, after a stirring 7-6 (2) 7-6 (3) over Yulia Putintseva.

After 50 long days at Auckland's Starship Hospital, the chance to meet a sport star was a welcome distraction for bone marrow transplant recipient Lily Cooke.

Caroline Wozniacki faced early scares in the tournament but will get some relief after Venus Williams took an early exit.

One of the top seeds at the ASB Classic has likened the on court experience to playing "in a bar", due to a new entertainment facility set up behind the court.

It's unusual for the "house full" signs to go up this early in the week, but it could happen today at the ASB Classic.

Latest updates from day one at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

Tennis star delights fans and an All Black with some dance moves on the court today, doing the dance to American rapper Silento's Watch Me.

Tennis star has learned to love her curves, despite years of "flack" for her physique.

Ana Ivanovic is aiming to be a more consistent player in 2016, and maintaining her perfect record in Auckland would be the ideal way to start.