Tennis: Clijsters heads ambitious women's classic wish-list

Former world No 1 Kim Clijsters is in tournament director Richard Palmer's sights as he aims for a top field for next year's women's classic.

Palmer leaves next week for the US Open in New York determined to lure one of the world's best players to Auckland for January's ASB Classic.

"We were very, very close to having Maria Sharapova but just missed out when her agents agreed to a proposal for her to play Gold Coast," said Palmer. "With Sharapova already ensuring they meet their commitment of having a top 10 player in their field, it is now open slather for us as far as I'm concerned.

"Our aim now must be to have either a top 10 player or at least two, possibly three, from the top 20."

Unlike previous years when it was often "pot luck" meeting agents, Palmer leaves this time with firm appointments. "Everyone is a target," said Palmer.

Only once, in his first year in the role (1997), has Palmer attracted a current top 10 player (Anke Huber) to the ASB Bank Tennis Centre.

But he heads to New York confident he can find a second player of that standing.

"Clijsters is a realistic target as are Mary Pierce, and others. While the Williams sisters might be available ...

"I will also be checking out Jennifer Capriati," said Palmer. "She hasn't been playing and her ranking has dropped but she would still be a drawcard."

Palmer is also aware of the emerging Russian players. "Because of my dealings with IMG over Sharapova, they are aware of the Classic.

"I have a confirmed appointment with them and will find out more about other players in their group, including the Williamses, Lindsay Davenport, Capriati, Tatiana Golovin, Daniela Hantuchova, Elena Bovina and Nicole Vaidisova. We would be happy with any of them ... "

Palmer received an email from Pierce earlier in the year and hoped she might return.

"She enjoyed her time here and said she would definitely consider returning," said Palmer. "She is just outside the top 10 and would be a definite attraction."

Palmer said there was no chance of the Classic becoming a tier three (rather than tier four) event. "We have already upped the prizemoney by US$5000 to US$145,000 for 2006. We would need to go to US$170,000 and, more importantly find US$500,000 to buy a tier three franchise and then secure a spot on the WTA circuit ... "