Kiwi favourite Lulu Sun has drawn a first-round clash with Canadian veteran Rebecca Marino to begin her 2025 campaign at Auckland's ASB Classic next week.
Te Anau-born Sun, 23, appeared at this year's tournament under the Swiss flag, but switched allegiances to New Zealand soon after as she began a rise in rankings that included a Grand Slam quarter-final finish at Wimbledon and WTA Newcomer of the Year honours.
Seeded fourth in the ASB Classic singles draw, she finds herself up against Marino — currently ranked 102nd in the world — after a 58-24 record in 2024. The Canadian has a career-high ranking of 38th in 2011 and has reached the main draw at Auckland twice, advancing to the second round in 2023.
She also captured her first WTA title with victory at the Guanajuato Open in February.
Currently ranked No.40, Sun survived qualifying at Auckland this year and reached the second round, before falling to French Varvara Gracheva.
"I think it's really important for us to have a local player coming into that position," said tournament organiser Nico Lamperin. "Being in the top four seeds, she's a clear candidate for the title.
"She's already been here for 10 days and she's trained a lot. We know how important this tournament is for her.
"After the year she's had, winning a 250 should be one of her objectives and if it happens in Auckland, that would be a good thing for all of us, he said.
Top-seeded American Madison Keys will face Italian Lucia Bronzetti in her opening encounter in Auckland, while Belgian second seed Elise Mertens takes on Kiwi qualifier Vivian Yang and American third seed Amanda Animisimova comes up against countrywoman Alycia Parks.
Young earned her place with victory in the qualifying playoff among top locals.
Among other notable seeds, Canadian Emma Raducanu (6) will play American Robin Montgomery, while Japanese Naomi Osaka (7) will take on a qualifier.
"There are a lot of really good matches all round and we are avoiding some of the big names to play each other in the first round, like we did last year, which is a good thing," reflects Lamperin.
The 2024 draw was notable for the early exit of former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who encountered second seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in her opener.
Meanwhile, New Zealand may yet have a third player in the women's singles draw, with local hope Monique Barry toppling Japanese top seed Ena Shibahara, ranked No. 137 in the world, in the opening round of qualifying. Barry faces Israeli Lina Glushko in the next round.
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