Russian Elena Dementieva (see homepage picture) has moved from No5 in the world to No4 after a semifinal effort at the year-end WTA Championships completed in Doha over the weekend.

 

Also gaining a place is Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki who climbs from 13 to 12. Both players will be playing their first 2009 tournament at the ASB Classic in Auckland.

 

The ranking improvements mean both players finish the year at career-high rankings, which is pleasing ASB Classic tournament director Brenda Perry.

 

“It’s fantastic to have  the top two players coming to New Zealand at career highs. It is also very significant to have Elena here, not only because she is the highest ranked player at time of entry to ever play the ASB Classic, but also because she is someone who can claim career wins over all of the current top-10 ranked players,” says Perry.

 

It is just over two weeks until the final player list for the ASB Classic is confirmed and Perry is expecting some interesting names when she goes through the entries on Wednesday 26 November.

 

“Under the new WTA structure it could be a somewhat unpredictable field but I’m expecting it to be very competitive and entertaining for spectators with plenty of new talent too.”

 

The ASB Classic will also feature on-court coaching for the first time as part of an initiative on Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

 

The ASB Classic featuring the Kia Motors singles and doubles will be played at the ASB Tennis Centre 5-10 January 2009, with qualifying 3-4 January  at the same venue.