There were plenty of familiar faces in final round of qualifying action at the ASB Classic on Sunday.
One of the popular players of the past few years, Ashley Harkleroad who defeated Claudine Schaul of Luxembourg in round two of qualifying on Sunday 6-1 6-3.
Harkleroad displayed why she was a finalist here in 2004 and why she has an overall record - including qualifying results - of 10-2 in Auckland as she played smart consistent tennis to move one step closer to reaching the main draw.
The former world No39 now faces the qualifying draw's top seed, Jelena Kostanic, for a place in the main event.
Shanay Perry is another American who has featured in singles action in Auckland in the past. She had to retire in the second round last year due to a knee injury but there was no giving up for her on Sunday.
The American is the owner of a smooth looking game and even smoother demeanour. On the court she looks about as intense as someone taking their dog for a walk and it was that lack of intensity that cost her in the first set.
Her opponent, Aleksandra Wozniak, pounced early and took the first set
6-1 before Perry's alarm clock went off and she rolled to victory by winning the last two sets 6-3 6-2.
Perry will now face Japan's Ryoko Fuda for a place in the main draw.
Fuda easily despatched of 2004 US Open junior finalist, Jessica Kirkland, 6-2 6-4.
Another familiar face in action on Sunday was Canada's Marie-eve Pelletier. If you were in attendance in 2005 and weren't trapped under a rock then you'll remember Pelletier as the player who young New Zealander Marina Erakovic defeated in an intense contest in the first round.
Unfortunately for Pelletier she didn't fare much better on Sunday as she lost to Mariya Koryttseva in straight sets. Koryttseva's next opponent will be Luxembourg veteran, Anne Kremer.
Kremer is making her eighth appearance in Auckland and was once ranked as high as No18 in the world. She is the owner of two WTA Tour singles titles and was a singles finalist in Auckland in 2000.
The other final round qualifying match will be between Mervana Jugic-Salkic and Tzipora Oblizer.
2nd round qualifying singles results
(1)Jelena Kostanic(CRO) bt Natalie Grandin(RSA) 6-0 3-6 6-2 Shanay Perry(USA) bt Aleksandra Wozniak(CAN) 1-6 6-3 6-2 Mervana Jugic-Salkic(BIH) bt Su-Wei Hsieh(TPE) (6)Ashley Harkleroad(USA)bt Claudine Schaul(LUX) 6-1 6-3 Tzipora Obziler(ISR) bt Yvonne Meusburger(AUT) 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 Ryoko Fuda(JPN) bt Jessica Kirkland(USA) 6-2 6-4 Anne Kremer(LUX) bt Yaroslava Shvedova(RUS) 6-4 6-2 Mariya Koryttseva(UKR) bt Marie-eve Pelletier(CAN) 6-3 6-4
