5 Jan 2011

Big names back on court at ASB Tennis Classic

7:07 am on 5 January 2011

The former world number one Maria Sharapova returns to centre court today in a crowded programme at the ASB Tennis classic in Auckland, with the defending champion Yanina Wickmayer (pron wick myer) also in action.

Sharapova's playing the Czech Renata Voracova in the second match with another Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova starting the day against China's Peng Shuai.

Kuznetsova began with a straight sets win over New Zealand's Sacha Jones in her first tournament match back after a three month break.

The 2009 runner up, Elena Vesnina, who eliminated New Zealand's Marina Erakovic and Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro's also on court.