Known as the best International tournament in the Asia-Pacific region for the past years, the #ASBClassic has always been a great host to some of the world’s best players. 2019 would not be an exception as three different Major champions will start their season in Auckland, with the title up for grabs among the tightly-contested field.
Defending champion returns
This year was #JuliaGoerges’s breakthrough season, as she managed to crack the top-10 and reach her maiden Major semifinal. It all started with a title run at the ASB Classic and the German will return to Auckland in 2019 hoping to taste success once more. Goerges has been a loyal participant, with this being her fifth consecutive appearance in Auckland and has been in the final twice.
Also making her fifth straight appearance at the ASB Classic would be former world number one #CarolineWozniacki, who is a two-time finalist as well. Wozniacki, being the defending champion at the Australian Open, has a ton of points to defend in January as she is also the defending finalist here in Auckland.
Former top-10 stars return
2015 champion #VenusWilliams will also be returning to the tournament, having skipped it last year. Starting 2019 outside the top-30 of the rankings, the legendary American will be looking to kick off her season in the best possible way — particularly after a poor 2018. The seven-time Major champion is a frequent visitor to this tournament where she has a terrific 9-2 win-loss record.
Another former world number one joining the field would be two-time Australian Open champion #VictoriaAzarenka. The last time the Belarusian competed at the ASB Classic was all the way back in 2006, although she was scheduled to make an appearance here last year but had to delay the start of her season due to a series of family issues.
Former semifinalists join the party
This year’s surprise semifinalist #HsiehSuwei reached the last four as the world number 103. She then went on to reach the second week of two Majors, and re-entered the top-30 of the rankings. The Taiwanese is slated to be the third seed with a bulk of points to defend in the first month of the year.
Three-time quarterfinalist #BarboraStrycova also makes her return to Auckland, with her most notable moment from this tournament being her thrilling three-set win over compatriot and good friend Lucie Safarova back in 2016. She also managed to defeat Sara Errani in a three-hour marathon match this year.
The fourth seed of the tournament is slated to be #PetraMartic, who would be looking to seal a seeded position at the Australian Open with a strong performance here. However, her dismal 3-5 win-loss record at this tournament is not in her favour.
Rounding off the seeds would be Belgians #KirstenFlipkens and #AlisonVanUytvanck. Van Uytvanck has not won a main draw match in Auckland previously while Flipkens has reached the last eight on three different occasions.
Hard-hitting tennis look to overwhelm Auckland
There are a number of aggressive players who signed up to play the ASB Classic, including several familiar faces. 2016 Rio Olympics Gold Medalist #MonicaPuig is currently 0-3 in main draw matches at Auckland but she will be looking to overturn that disastrous record next year. Rising stars #ViktoriaKuzmova, #RebeccaPeterson, and #MarketaVondrousova are also scheduled to participate.
Former world number five #EugenieBouchard will make just her second appearance in Auckland after falling in her debut back in 2012 when she received a wildcard into the main draw. Whereas, #TimeaBabos will make her debut in the tournament and will be a huge threat to the seeded players with her bullet-like shots.
Other notable players in action
Rising star #SofiaKenin made her first career WTA quarterfinal in Auckland this year and will be looking to move one step further next year alongside #PolonaHercog, who reached the same stage as well. 2012 semifinalist #MonaBarthel is back in action while other players in action include #JohannaLarsson, #LaraArruabarrena, #StefanieVoegele, #TamaraZidansek, #SaraSorribesTormo, and #MadisonBrengle.
NOTE: Wildcards were handed to Lauren Davis, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and Amanda Anisimova. Rebecca Peterson and Marketa Vondrousova has also withdrawn from the tournament, with her place in the main draw being replaced by Taylor Townsend and Margarita Gasparyan respectively.
Comments