Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

The US open semi-finalist Yanina Wickmayer has confirmed her appearance for January's ASB Tennis classic in Auckland.

The big serving 1.82 metre tall Belgium No2 has been been one of the big movers this year, going from a world ranking of 71 in Januaryto a current career high 18.

She has claimed two WTA Tour titles in the last sixth months and also reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open in September.

Wickmayer's just turned 20 and is the second youngest player in the top 20 behind the 19 year-old Dane Caroline Wozniacki.

She's in Bali for Tournament of Champions, an an inaugural event for the 12 highest ranked players who have won an International Series tournament on the WTA Tour this year.

The ASB Classic Tournament Director, Brenda Perry says It's great to have a second top 20 player confirmed along with China's Li Na.

Eleven times grand slam tennis winner Serena Williams has set a single-season prize money record on the women's tour by earning over $US 6.5 million.

Williams, who's finished the year in the number one spot has career earnings of nearly $US30 million.