New Zealand’s Leanne Baker has been granted a wildcard for the Sovereign doubles draw at the 2006 ASB Classic.  Baker, 24 has been given the main draw opportunity as a reward for her efforts in the tournament in 2005 where she and Italian partner Francesca Lubiana made the final.  Baker who is currently ranked at 150 in doubles is likely to team up with Lubiani again who is ranked at 115.   Depending on the strength of the entrants to the doubles they may or may not require the wildcard, however ASB Classic Tournament Director Richard Palmer says it is hers if she needs it.

"I’m impressed with the professional attitude of Leanne towards both singles and doubles wildcards and the ASN Classic.  In a recent conversation Leanne said to me that she had plenty of opportunities in singles and that her focus is now on doubles and that it is time for younger players to benefit from qualifying wildcards.  At the stage her career is at, giving her a wildcard to either main draw singles or qualifying would achieve very little.  Leanne had a good year in 2005 with her doubles and she fully deserves a spot in the main draw if she requires it.  Everyone was delighted with her performances in the ASB Classic in January and here’s hoping she can go one better in 2006."

In 2005 Baker became the first Kiwi in singles or doubles to reach a final at the ASB Classic for well over ten years.

Baker and Lubiani beat second seeds Jill Craybas and Corina Morariu in the first round, won a tense three set battle indoors in the quarters, gained a walkover in the semis before falling to Katarina Srebotnik and Shinobu Asagoe in the final.

Later the pair compted in the doubles main draw of the Australian Open losing to a seeded pair.  They also had a tournament win in a US$25,000 evebt abd sine giid results in US$50,000 tournaments.

Baker is currently playing in the New Zealand Residentials at the More FM Tennis Park where she is the top seed and defending champ.

The 2006 ASB Classic featuring the Sovereign singles and doubles will be held 2 – 7 January at the ASB Tennis Centre, 1 Tennis Lane, Parnell with qualifying on Saturday 31st December 2005 and Sunday 1st January 2006.

For more information, please contact Richard Palmer, ASB Classic Tournament Director , 021 675 006.