The draw for Auckland's ASB tennis Classic has thrown up a mouth-watering opening round match-up, featuring two of the biggest names in the women's game.
Seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams will meet two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka - with the latter hoping to kickstart her comeback to the top right here in New Zealand.
The tournament director's reaction said it all; Karl Budge's desire for an early marquee match-up met - although that match would've been a worthy title decider.
"Venus is coming off beating Serena two days ago in Abu Dhabi," he said.
"Vika's coming off what everyone's telling me has been an incredible training block, so should be a hell of a match on Tuesday," Budge said.
Williams won the title in 2015, while the Belarusian was last seen in Auckland 13 years ago.
A lot has happened since she was last here; the 29-year-old's Australian Open double in 2012 and 2013 catapulting her to world number one.
But she's struggled in recent times with injury and a custody battle with her former partner over their now-two-year-old son Leo.
A combative character on court, Azarenka's welcoming a stern test to start 2019.
"It's going to be fun to play whoever it is, but to play a champion like Venus will be fun as well," she said.
Top seed Caroline Wozniacki lurks as a potential quarter-final opponent for the winner of Azarenka and Williams.
That means three of the sport's biggest names will be whittled down to one before the tournament gets to the business end.
Newshub.
