KEY POINTS:
Former French Open champion Anastasia Myskina slipped into Auckland yesterday almost unnoticed.
She'd blended in with the cluster of ASB Classic arrivals so seamlessly that officials had to do a double take.
It's a fair bet the Russian won't slip as easily under the radar next week as
she starts a year she hopes will put her back inside the world top 10.
The world No 16 hasn't played since October, had the latter part of her season marred by an inflamed toe, but she's keen to restamp her mark on the game next year.
"I have played the Gold Coast and the Hopman Cup, but I have never played here," Myskina said. "I really wanted to try something different, something new and I have heard good things about this tournament."
Myskina triumphed in the French Open of 2004, swamping compatriot Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-2 in the first all-Russian Grand Slam final. She was the first Russian to crack the world top five, has won 10 singles titles and pocketed over US$5.5 million ($7.8 million) in winnings.
She has slipped since that memorable day in Paris, but remains formidable, reaching three finals this year and she progressed deep into three of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
The 25-year-old, who swapped the snow of Moscow on Boxing Day for the rain in Auckland yesterday, will be second seed for the Classic behind world No 12 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.
In other developments yesterday:
* Kiwi teen Sacha Jones withdrew from the Classic with a back injury.
* World No 34 Martina Muller slipped in as sixth seed after having to pull out of the Hopman Cup in Perth.
* Former world No 1 doubles player Paola Suarez is looking for a partner, after her regular teammate, Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual, dropped out with a knee injury. New Zealand's Marina Erakovic is a possibility.
Jones, 16, was one of three New Zealand players handed a wildcard into the main draw. But she has been troubled by a back problem and will sit out what would have been her first WTA event.
"She's devastated," Classic director Richard Palmer said. "It's disappointing from the tournament point of view, but I'm more disappointed for her. She's got a great work ethic and has progressed so much ... and in her home town it was a big deal for her."
Palmer has until 4pm tomorrow to reissue the wildcard.
Muller entered the Classic, then had to pull out when she was chosen to represent Germany at the Hopman Cup in Perth next week. However, her teammate, Nicolas Kiefer, is injured, leaving Muller with a spare week.
In effect, the tournament has lost the No 66-ranked Pascual, and gained No 34 Muller.