Kiwi Trio make the doubles main draw

Kiwi Trio make the doubles main draw

Roland Garros Doubles Champion Michael Venus will lead the kiwi trio who’ve all been accepted into the doubles main draw for the ASB Classic.

Venus (15) with his new doubles partner South African Raven Klaasen (25) will be second seeds. Fellow Kiwis Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak have both landed themselves direct entry with their respective doubles partners. Daniell (37) will pair up with Dominic Inglot (51) from Great Britain and Sitak (55) snapped up the last spot with his partner Wesley Koolhof (46) from the Netherlands.

Tournament director, Karl Budge says this is a great result for our local players and the tournament.

“It is great to have all three of our Kiwis make it in to the main draw. These boys have been representing us so well and have all won tournaments of this tier. I think Mike and Raven will start as favourites with the other boys not far behind”.

After his grand slam triumph, Venus reached his career high doubles ranking of 12 in July, and he’s now playing regularly at the top tournaments and beating the world’s best. To top off his breakthrough year, the Kiwi doubles sensation became the first New Zealand tennis player to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals last month. An event for the top eight singles and doubles players in the world.

Venus will head off to Brisbane tomorrow, to compete in the Brisbane International before coming back home for his favourite tournament, the ASB Classic.

“I love coming home to play, I’ve had some success in the past and there’s no place I’d rather play than in front of my family, friends and the kiwi fans on centre court.”

Ten pairs gain direct entry into the doubles main draw, four more will sign in during the tournament and the remaining two spots are for wildcards.

The ASB Classic will span for two weeks; the women's tournament kicking off on January 1st to 6th followed by the men’s tournament from January 8th to 13th. Tickets will be available for purchase through Ticketek. You can purchase tickets either online, over the phone on (0800 842 538) or in person at one of the agencies listed on the event website.

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