Tennis: Tournament circuit adds up to big bucks

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Winning through to the final of next week's international classic would guarantee Anne Kremer's spot among the millionaires of tennis.

Kremer, the winner here in 2000, goes into the ASB Classic in 130th place on the all-time earners list with US$988,918 ($1.9 million).

The runner's-up cheque of US$12,000 would take Luxembourg's top-ranked player beyond the magical mark. Winning, worth US$22,000, would take her a place or two higher.

Of the players in action in next week's tournament, Spain's Conchita Martinez, is still highest on the all-time list. She is in ninth place with US$10,117,481.

She is followed by France's Mary Pierce (US$6,451,861 in 14th place) - with Martinez the two Grand Slam singles winners in the field here - and Russian Elena Likhovtseva (US$3,335,184 in 32nd place).

Top seed and defending champion, Israeli Anna Pistolesi, is 104th with US$1,187,638.

At the other end of the money list are three young players who between them have just one WTA title to their credit.

Second seed Eleni Daniilidou has had a mercurial rise.

The 20-year Greek has collected US$383,086 - much of it in the past year as her ranking climbed from 84 to a career-high 21 in September before dropping a place to her current 22.

Russian 18-year-old Vera Zvonareva banked US$157,740 of her career US$180,097 this year as she climbed from 371 in the world rankings to 45. She is the 11th-ranked player here.

In her first appearance at the French Open in May-June, Zvonareva reached the fourth round after playing qualifying. She was eliminated in three sets by top seed and eventual winner Serena Williams after taking the first set 6-4.

American 21-year-old Laura Granville is another of the younger brigade who made her mark this year.

She collected US$129,092 to take her career earnings to just under US$200,000.

Of this trio, only Daniilidou has been in the winner's circle.

Given their form in the past 12 months, Zvonareva and Granville might not have to wait much longer for their turn.

Likhovtseva took a break from practice yesterday to join tournament director Richard Palmer at the Ellerslie races where she presented the keys of a new Mercedes Benz car to the winner of the Fashion in the Fields competition.

* Maret Ani of Estonia turned up in Auckland ready to play in qualifying which starts at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre tomorrow.

Unfortunately she was entered for the Gold Coast, not Auckland. After a practice session and a night in Auckland, red-faced, she and her coach were on their way across the Tasman.

One player definitely out of the reckoning is Auckland youngster Marina Erakovic.

Sidelined by a heel injury, the 14-year-old will bypass the event opening the way for an overseas player to take the last of four wildcards Palmer can hand out for the qualifying tournament.