ASB Classic director Karl Budge has uncovered another relatively obscure future star for the women's tennis tournament in Auckland next month.
American Amanda Anisimova, 17, is the youngest player in the world's top 100 and has already accounted for two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in her brief WTA career.
The teenager beat Kvitova as a 16-year-old to progress to the fourth round at Indian Wells, then toppled Chinese top seed Shuai Zhang to reach the final at Hiroshima, eventually falling to second-seeded Su-Wei Hseih of Taipei.
She rose to a high of 92 in the world in October and currently sits at 97.
"We have a pretty good record in recent years, identifying the next wave of stars," says Budge. "Jelena Ostapenko, Sloane Stephens and recently Naomi Osaka have all come to Auckland early in their careers, before going on to Grand Slam success."
Latvian Ostapenko took out the 2017 French Open title, American Stephens took out the US Open later that same year, while Osaka of Japan captured her maiden Grand Slam title in a controversial 2018 Australian Open clash with legend Serena Williams.
"Given Amanda is still only 17 years old, she is well ahead of where those three girls were at the same time of their careers," says Budge. "To be shocking multiple Grand Slam champions and reaching finals bodes incredibly well for the future."
The ASB Classic field already includes former world number ones Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka, defending champion Julia Goerges and Olympic champion Monica Puig.
Newshub.