The strongest field in the history of the tournament has been announced for the ASB women's tennis classic in Auckland in January.
The former world number one and grand slam champion Ana Ivanovic has today been included in the field, joining Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki who had already signed on for the tournament.
Ivanovic won the Auckland tournament in 2014 beating Williams in the final and will seeded second for the tournament.
Ana Ivanovic competing at the 2014 ASB Classic. Photo: Photosport
Other signings announced today intwo-time Grand Slam Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and rising American star Sloane Stephens.
Stephens shot to fame in 2013 beating Serena Williams at the Australian Open and peaked at World Number 11 later that year.
2015 semi-finalist Barbora Strycova and Germany's Julia Göerges also return.
American Coco Vandeweghe and Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck round out the top eight seeds.
New Zealand's Marina Erakovic is likely to get a wildcard entry to the tournament.
Tournament top seed and world number seven Venus Williams. Photo: Photosport
"It's amazing. Three former World Number Ones, three Grand Slam champions and two former winners in one year is an incredible result. Our strongest yet," says Tournament Director, Karl Budge.
"Having Ana join Venus and Caroline was something we never thought was possible. The crowds can expect to be wowed by some great on court battles, as well as a good dose of glamour."
Full list of seeded women's players for the ASB Classic 2016:
1. Venus Williams (7)
2. Ana Ivanovic (16)
3. Caroline Wozniacki (17)
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova (25)
5. Sloane Stephens (30)
6. Coco Vandewghe (37)
7. Barbora Zahalova Strycova (41)
8. Alison Van Uytvanck (43)
9. Mona Barthel (44)
10. Julia Göerges (50)
11. Lucie Hradecka (53)
12. Misaki Doi (54)
13. Johanna Larsson (56)
14. Danka Kovinic (57)
15. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (60)
16. Christina McHale (63)
17. Carina Witthoeft (64)
18. Nao Hibino (66)
19. Alexandra Dulgheru (69)
20. Maria Tatjana (71)
21. Polona Hercog (74)
22. Daria Kasatkina (75)
23. Irina Falconi (76)
24. Yulia Putintseva (77)
