AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The field for the 2010 edition of the ASB Classic, to be held from January 4 to 9, was announced recently, and features a full line-up of some of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's most talented players.
Four of 2009's Top 20 players will be in Auckland for one of the two events in the first week of the 2010 season (also Brisbane), namely Flavia Pennetta, Li Na, Francesca Schiavone and Virginie Razzano. Pennetta and Li both had particularly sensational 2009 seasons, Pennetta becoming Italy's first Top 10 player (finishing the year at No.12) and Li equaling the Chinese national ranking record at No.15 (where she finished the year too). Schiavone and Razzano had year-end rankings of No.17 and No.19 in the world, respectively.
The rest of the eight seeds finished this year between No.21 and No.30, with Elena Vesnina, Aravane Rezai, Anabel Medina Garrigues and Dominika Cibulkova projected to be seeds No.5 through No.8.
Also among the marquee names within the field will be Shahar Peer, Alizé Cornet, Sania Mirza, Maria Kirilenko and Anna Chakvetadze.
"Having the seeded players all within the Top 30 is a first for the ASB Classic, with only one other of the 30 International events on the Tour having achieved this," ASB Classic Tournament Director Brenda Perry said. "This is an incredibly strong field with a number of rising stars, current and former Top 20 players, along with a good mix of new and familiar faces."
The tournament, which takes place at the ASB Tennis Centre, will once again include its popular video podcasting and more, all available on the tournament's website, www.asbclassic.co.nz.
