Another Grand Slam Champion to contend for the ASB Classic

For immediate release Wednesday 17 December

Another Grand Slam Champion to contend for the ASB Classic title

Organisers of the 2015 ASB Classic are pleased to announce the tournament’s final guaranteed wild card – Italy’s Francesca Schiavone.

The former world number four became Italy’s first ever Grand Slam Champion when she defeated Sam Stosur at Roland Garros in 2010. She backed up that breakthrough performance by making the final again, a year later.

Schiavone has been the rock in the champion Italian Fed Cup team alongside 2015 ASB Classic second seed Sara Errani for the past decade, winning the prestigious crown in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013. She is her nation’s most successful ever Fed Cup player, whilst also capturing six WTA career titles.

One of the most experienced players on the WTA circuit, Schiavone reached the semi-finals of Hong Kong and Baku in 2014, as well as the quarter finals in Istanbul.

The addition of Schiavone brings the tally of Grand Slam singles victories competing for the ASB Classic title to 10.

“Francesca adds a lot of class to the 2015 field. She is a Grand Slam champion, as well as a former top ten player. She will be a dangerous floater in the main draw,” says Tournament Director, Karl Budge.

The 2015 ASB Classic field will offer a truly international line-up, celebrating world-class tennis on the local stage at the NZ Festival of Tennis.

The 2015 ASB Classic runs from January 5-10, 2015 at the ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland

Tickets start at $20 and are available from Ticketek

www.festivaloftennis.co.nz

© Scoop Media