ASB Classic Glowing in Girl Power 25 Nov 2015
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- Australia Jumping on the Boy Bandwagon Living
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Environmental edge to Auckland’s RWC 2011 prep Sport
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
- New Zealand 2011 Business Club launched Business
ASB CLASSIC GLOWING IN GIRL POWER AS ANA IVANOVIC JOINS THE ALL STAR FIELD
ASB Classic organisers today announced the strongest field in the tournaments history with tour glamour girl Ana Ivanovic added to the already confirmed headline acts of Venus Williams (7) and Caroline Wozniacki (17).
The former World Number One and Grand Slam Champion Ivanovic returns having conquered Williams in the final to take out the 2014 ASB Classic crown. The tall Serbian has captured 15 WTA titles including her Roland Garros success. The glamor girl of the WTA is one of the most sought after players on tour and will be looking to make it two titles in two appearances on the fast courts of Auckland.
With Ivanovic slotting in as second seed all eyes will be on which side of the draw Wozniacki will be placed in what could set up a super-star semi-final.
Other signings of note include two-time Grand Slam Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (25) and rising American star Sloane Stephens (30). Stephens shot to fame in 2013 beating Serena Williams at the Australian Open and peaked at World Number 11 later that year. An assault back to the top ten looks a real prospect for the powerful American in 2016 having captured her first career title in Washington DC earlier this year.
Auckland first-timer Bethanie Mattek-Sands (60) will bring colour to the ASB Tennis Arena. Known as the ‘Lady Gaga of Tennis’ she is not your typical tennis player sporting tattoos and an eccentric sense of style. However, she has the game to back it up having knocked out Ivanovic from Wimbledon in 2015 whilst also capturing two Grand Slam doubles titles in Australia and Roland Garros this year.
2015 semi-finalist Barbora Strycova (41) and Germany’s Julia Göerges (50) return as ASB Classic regulars.
Another powerful American Coco Vandeweghe (37) and Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck (43) round out the top eight seeds. Van Uytvanck has had a fruitful 2015 earning semi-final appearances in Luxembourg, Seoul and Katowice as well as French Open quarter-final.
“It’s amazing. Three former World Number Ones, three Grand Slam champions and two former winners in one year is an incredible result. Our strongest yet,” says Tournament Director, Karl Budge.
“Having Ana join Venus and Caroline was something we never thought was possible. The crowds can expect to be wowed by some great on court battles, as well as a good dose of glamour.” Budge continues.
"The ASB Classic continues to go from strength to strength in terms of its ability to attract the world's top tennis players to New Zealand," says Roger Beaumont, ASB's Executive General Manager for Marketing & Communications. "Local fans now have even more to look forward to with an enlarged tournament showcasing some of the biggest names in world tennis over two weeks".
Organisers have also had another win in the sponsorship stakes with New Zealand’s largest carpet supplier Godfrey Hirst NZ Limited joining the ASB Classic for a two year term through it’s Feltex and The Flooring Foundation brands.
Budge is delighted to be backed by Godfrey Hirst “Godfrey Hirst are one of the most well-known and trusted brands in New Zealand. They love tennis just as much as we do and we are proud to have them on the court with us.”
Tania Pauling, General Manager of Godfrey Hirst said “We are excited to be involved with this pre-eminent international event which brings the best of the world to New Zealand in a uniquely kiwi way.”
The ASB Classic kicks off on January 4th, 2015 at the ASB Tennis Arena in Auckland.
ENDS
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more