Tennis: Women's classic ranking dilemma

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A former Grand Slam winner and top-five player has left women's classic organiser Richard Palmer scratching his head as he continues to draw up what promises to be a strong field for January's tournament.

Iva Majoli, a former world No 4 and winner of the 1997 French Open at Roland Garros and eight other WTA titles, is keen to come to Auckland for the first time and play the ASB Classic.

Palmer is interested in having the 26-year-old Croatian at the January 5-10 tournament, but faces a difficult choice.

With her ranking now down to 131, Majoli will be well outside the cut-off, estimated between 70-80 on present indications, for a spot in the main draw.

She should, although there are no guarantees, get a place in the qualifying tournament and have the chance of going through as one of four qualifiers.

Her agents would prefer a wildcard into at least qualifying or, better, the main draw.

"That [main draw] is unlikely," Palmer said. "I suspect her ranking will be good enough to get her into qualifying, but if not, I would have to look at a wildcard."

He is reluctant to commit to that as he has the four wildcards into the qualifying draw earmarked for New Zealand players.

Players ranked between 83 and 185 made up the qualifying draw, which suggests Majoli would make the cut even if present indications from players who have contacted Palmer suggest the number might be closer to 120 than 180.

Teryn Ashley, who combined with Abigail Spears to win the doubles at this year's tournament, has no worries about qualifying for the singles this time.

As winner of the recent US$50,000 Pittsburg tournament, she is automatically eligible to play here, as is Julia Vakulenko, of Ukraine, who won a similar tournament in Spain in September.

The third automatic qualifier can come from a third US$50,000 tournament at Palm Beach Gardens early next month.

Those three players go straight into the 32-strong main draw. They are joined by 22 who receive direct entry based on WTA rankings, the two wildcards, the one gold/silver exempt spot (for any player in the top 50 who wants to turn up) and the four players who win through from the qualifying tournament.

Palmer will announce most players for the main draw next week.