Tennis: Second top seed pulls out of Classic

Katarina Srebotnik

The organisers of next month's ASB tennis Classic in Auckland have suffered another blow.

World number 20 and fourth seed Katarina Srebotnik has pulled out with an Achilles injury. She follows second seed Nadia Petrova in withdrawing, leaving just two top 20 players in the field.

Tournament director Brenda Perry says she has had confirmation both Elena Dementieva and Caroline Wozniacki will be arriving on Friday night, which is a relief but it is still disappointing that Petrova and Srebotnik are out.

Former top 10 player Nicole Vaidisova has arrived and has recovered from a wrist injury that has hampered her in recent times.

She says she took some time off at the end of last season so now feels as can be expected.

This year's runner up, Aravane Rezai, comes into the main draw with Srebotnik out.

The tournament starts Monday.

- NEWSTALK ZB