French Open winner Michael Venus heads trio of Kiwi men into ASB Classic main draw

New Zealand doubles No 1 and 2017 French Open doubles champion Michael Venus

2017 Roland Garros doubles champion Michael Venus will lead the trio of Kiwi men in ASB Classic doubles tournament.

World No 15 Venus (15), alongside new partner South African Raven Klaasen (world No 25) will be second seeds for the event

Fellow Kiwis Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak have also been accepted into the main draw. Daniell (world No 37) will combine with Brit Dominic Inglot (51), while Sitak (55) snapped up the last spot with his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof (46).

Daniell and Sitak both needed wildcards to get into the 2017 tournament, but their rise up the rankings has seen them rewarded with direct spots.

Venus is a past champion at the Auckland event, combining with Mate Pavic in 2016 to lift the trophy in front of his friends and family. Daniell has also enjoyed a similar experience, winning the 2010 event with Horia Tecau, which was the New Zealander's first ATP doubles title.

"It is great to have all three of our Kiwis make it in to the main draw, " said tournament director Karl Budge. " These boys have been representing us so well and have all won tournaments at this tier. I think Mike and Raven will start as favourites with the other boys not far behind".

After his French Open triumph, Venus reached a career high doubles ranking of 12 in July. To top off his breakthrough year, the 30-year-old qualified for the ATP finals last month, winning all three of his group matches with Ryan Harrison before the Kiwi-American duo lost in the semi finals in London.

Venus will compete in the Brisbane International next week before returning to Auckland.

"I love coming home to play," said Venus. "I've had some success in the past and there's no place I'd rather play than in front of my family, friends and the kiwi fans on centre court."

10 pairs gain direct entry into the doubles main draw, four more will sign in during the tournament and the remaining two spots are for wildcards.