Big-serving Mark Philippoussis is in line to add spice to next month's Auckland international event.
Heineken Open officials hope to know by the weekend whether the Australian dubbed "The Scud" will take up one of three wildcards into the main draw for the $414,000 tournament, which starts onJanuary 8.
The world No.114, 30, reached his career-high No 8 in 1999, has won 11 singles titles, pocketed US$6.9 million and was a finalist at both the US Open and Wimbledon. He was expected to play in Auckland last January but was a late withdrawal.
However, Open boss Graham Pearce was certain he would be a drawcard, though his finest years were behind him. "Absolutely," he said yesterday. "He's never played here before, obviously he's a colourful character and if he's on form he's a damn good player. I'm sure he'd be of interest to tennis fans."
The usual policy with wildcards is to give one to New Zealand's leading player. At the moment that is Dan King Turner, who is ranked No 464.
If Philippoussis took one and a prominent player came looking for a wildcard, Pearce said it was "a no-brainer" to give him the pass - the decision would be made smartly.
One player who has asked to get in, and will be coming to Auckland in any case, is Ecuadorean Nicolas Lapentti, who is ranked No 67 but who has been as high as No 6, and has won five titles. But Pearce is likely to keep an ear out for any late requests from higher ranked players.
* ASB Classic officials received the confirmation they didn't want to hear yesterday, with No 66 Indian Sania Mirza belatedly withdrawing from the January 1-6 event to play for her country in the Hopman Cup in Perth.
Mirza's place has gone to Czech Republic's Eva Birnerova, ranked No 82. Others to come into the field are US veteran Jill Craybas (No 73). No 12, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, is top seed.
