By TERRY MADDAFORD
The start of the new season's WTA circuit means a Christmas Down Under for some of the world's best players.
Among those already in Auckland for the ASB Classic are popular Italian sisters Adriana Serra Zanetti, already in the 32-strong main draw, and her younger sister, Antonella, who will
be among the players in the qualifying tournament chasing four places in the main draw.
The pair, who arrived on Tuesday, had Christmas dinner with the chairman of the board of Auckland Tennis, Roger Harvey, and his family.
Many of the early arrivals fitted the festivities around business, spending time on the courts at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre yesterday.
For tournament top seed Anna Pistolesi (nee Smashnova), the celebration in Auckland is special - this month she married her coach, Claudio Pistolesi.
They arrived in Auckland yesterday to prepare to defend the title she won when unseeded almost a year ago.
The title was one of four she captured this year on her way to a career-high world ranking of 16.
Tournament drawcard and former world No 3 Mary Pierce arrives on Saturday, the day after WTA officials and tournament director Richard Palmer make the draw.
There was some Christmas cheer for local players Ilke Gers and Dianne Hollands because they were handed wildcards to join New Zealand No 2 Leanne Baker in the qualifying draw.
Palmer is holding a fourth wildcard, which he is keen to give to 14-year-old Marina Erakovich if she recovers from a heel injury.
If not, that will go to one of the many overseas players who are keen for an early start to their new season and will be awaiting tomorrow's 4pm entry cut-off to see who will be in line for a place in the draw.
