Tennis: Ivanovic returns to Auckland

Ana Ivanovic in action on her way to winning the 2014 ASB Classic final. Photo / Richard Robinson

The ASB Classic has further boosted its star power with former world number one Ana Ivanovic set to return to Auckland in 2016.

Tournament organisers this afternoon revealed the full line-up for 2016, with Ivanovic the latest big name to be confirmed, joining two-time defending champion Venus Williams and Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki as the top seeds.

Declarations that it is the best line-up ever assembled tend to get thrown around every year, and the 2016 field is no different.

It is up for debate whether this is the strongest field to come to Auckland - some may point to the 2010 tournament, which had five players ranked inside the top 20. But in terms of star-power the 2016 tournament will undoubtedly surpass all others.

Tournament director Karl Budge said he was delighted to get Ivanovic over the line after negotiations went down to the wire.

"To have our last two champions in Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic back in Auckland along with Wozniacki makes it quite clearly the best field Auckland has ever seen," said Budge.

"Three former world number ones, three grand slam champions and two former winners in one year is an incredible result."

With Ivanovic, the world number 16, slotting in at second seed just ahead of Wozniacki (17), all eyes will be on which side of the draw Wozniacki will be placed on and the potential superstar semifinal match-up.

While the focus throughout the tournament will likely be on the "big three", Budge believes the depth in the 2016 draw, which had a cut-off for direct entry at 77, is such that several players have the ability to force their way into the semifinal mix.

The tournament features 10 players ranked inside the top 50, including two-time grand slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova (25) and young American Sloane Stephens (30).

"The cut is pretty traditional, we've always floated somewhere between mid-70s and mid-80s, so 77 is a good result in that sense. It's not record-breaking, but the fact we've still got such a low cut with having three superstars in pretty impressive."

"In any other year we'd be shouting from the rooftops that we've got Sloane Stephens and Svetlana Kuznetsova, and it's almost a shame that they're going to fly a little bit under the radar behind those three superstars."

Budge has singled out Stephens as being the "next big thing" among the field. Stephens shot to fame in 2013 beating Serena Williams at the Australian Open and peaked at world number 11 later than year, but has struggled to live up to the early hype in recent times. However, Budge believes an assault on the top 10 looks a real prospect for the American in 2016.

"I definitely think she is a top 10 player. You don't beat Serena Williams in a semifinal of a grand slam without being a quality player."

Other signings of note include Auckland first-timer Bethanie Mattek-Sands (60), who is known for her eccentric style, while Coco Vandewghe (37), Barbora Strycova (41) and Alison Van Uytvanck round out the top eight seeds.

The ASB Classic men's field will be announced next Wednesday.

Full list of seeded women's players for the ASB Classic 2016 (world ranking):

1. Venus Williams (7)
2. Ana Ivanovic (16)
3. Caroline Wozniacki (17)
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova (25)
5. Sloane Stephens (30)
6. Coco Vandewghe (37)
7. Barbora Zahalova Strycova (41)
8. Alison Van Uytvanck (43)
9. Mona Barthel (44)
10. Julia Göerges (50)
11. Lucie Hradecka (53)
12. Misaki Doi (54)
13. Johanna Larsson (56)
14. Danka Kovinic (57)
15. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (60)
16. Christina McHale (63)
17. Carina Witthoeft (64)
18. Nao Hibino (66)
19. Alexandra Dulgheru (69)
20. Maria Tatjana (71)
21. Polona Hercog (74)
22. Daria Kasatkina (75)
23. Irina Falconi (76)
24. Yulia Putintseva (77)