24 Dec 2013

National tennis champions earn wildcards

5:07 pm on 24 December 2013

The winners of the New Zealand national tennis championships, Australia-based Sacha Jones and New Zealand men's number two Artem Sitak, have been given wildcards for the ASB Classic and the Heineken Open qualifying draws.

Two years ago the Auckland-born Jones took up the option to play for Australia and move into their tennis programme.

She was eligible to do that with an Australia-born father.

Jones beat the New Zealand number two Dianne Hollands by two sets to one in the final in Albany on Monday.

Sitak became national champion for the second time in beating men's number one Rubin Statham in straight sets.

The ASB Classic qualifying rounds begin on Saturday with the Heineken Open qualifying rounds starting a week later.