Auckland Tennis » Current World No. 5 – A First for the ASB Classic

Current World No. 5 – A First for the ASB Classic

October 14, 2008 11:09 am

The 2009 ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors singles and doubles have today announced that current world No. 5 and 2008 Beijing gold medalist Elena Dementieva has confirmed her entry into the January 5-10 event. With Dementieva at number 5 on this week’s WTA Tour rankings it is the first time the ASB Classic has had an entry from a current top 5 ranked player. Dementieva who lives in Moscow is a two-time Grand Slam runner-up who will make her debut in Auckland for the US$225,000 tournament .

The Russian, who turns 27 tomorrow (Wednesday, October 15) has a total of ten WTA singles titles to her credit, including the Beijing Olympics this year where she beat Serena Williams, Vera Zvonareva and Dinara Safina in succession to win the gold medal.

Also in 2008 there was a title at Dubai and finals finishes at Istanbul and

Berlin .

A consistent performer at Grand Slams, Dementieva has reached the quarterfinals or better at Slams on nine occasions. Recently she had a run of great results at Grand Slams this year reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open, the quarters at Roland Garros and the semifinals at both

Wimbledon and the US Open. In 2004 she was a finalist at two Grand Slams – Roland Garros (lost to Anastasia Myskina) and US Open (lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova).

ASB Classic Tournament Director, Brenda Perry believes Dementieva will be a real highlight for the tournament with her exciting brand of tennis.

“I am thrilled for the ASB Classic and tennis fans that Elena has chosen to play in

Auckland . This is particularly significant given that as a top-10 player rules under the new 2009 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour structure allow her to play only one such International level event in first half of 2009 from January up until Wimbledon.”

“Elena brings a commanding presence to the court with a captivating mix of intensity, passion, power and femininity,” says Perry.

The ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors singles and doubles will be played at the ASB Tennis Centre January 5-10, with Qualifying January 3-4. Tickets available at any Ticketek outlet from November 3^rd.