Tennis: Kournikova likely to play in Auckland

Auckland's two international tennis tournaments could pack a Russian one-two knockout punch.

Two of the game's most illustrious players, from that same country, are now being lined up to play at Auckland's Stanley St courts in January.

Sources close to Auckland Tennis have indicated today that superstar Anna Kournikova is to play in the women's WTA international tournament, the ASB Bank Tennis Classic.

Organisers for the weeklong tournament, starting on December 31, are expected to formally announce the signing of the former world top ten player in Auckland this afternoon.

Russian Kournikova is one of the most recognisable players in women's tennis, and always attracts massive support wherever she plays. Considered by many to be the most glamorous of the new generation of women players, she has been responsible for raising the profile of the womens' game to new levels.

Spotted by talent scouts at an early age, she left Moscow at age 12 to train with coach Nick Bolletierri at his famous tennis academy in Florida.

There was plenty of media attention when Kournikova burst onto the profesional tour in 1996 and reached the fourth round in the US Open.

She followed this up with a semifinal appearance on her Wimbledon debut in 1997, losing to Martina Hingis.

Though a top ten singles player, Anna's only Grand Slam title to date came in the 1999 Australian open Ladies' Doubles with Hingis.

On the men's side, big-serving Russian former world No 1 Marat Safin has already been confirmed as a starter in the ATP tour tournament, the Heineken Open, which immediately follows the Classic.

ASB Bank Classic full coverage

Players list and profiles

Ticket information

Anna Kournikova picture gallery

Related sites

Heineken Open full coverage

Tournament information

Tournament schedule

Players list and profiles

Ticket information

TV coverage

Related sites