Dates: 5 - 10 January, 2015
Venue: Auckland, New Zealand
Tier: International
Prize Money: $250,000
Surface: Hard/Outdoors
Tournament Director: Karl Budge

Official Website: www.festivaloftennis.co.nz


Last Appearance: 2007 2nd round. Lost to Virginie Razzano 6-1 7-5


Singles:
1R: Daniela Hantuchova bt [2] Sara Errani (ITA) 6-3 6-2
2R: [Q] Urszula Radwanska (POL) bt Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-3 6-1

Doubles:
1R: [2] Andrea Hlavackova/Lucie Hradecka bt Daniela Hantuchova/Francesca Schiavone 6-4 6-4

We'll see how Daniela does here. She could do with starting the year strongly and getting some momentum for the Australian Open and the points would be nice. Apart from the Australian Open, she doesn't have any point to defend until April so this is a good opportunity for her to pick up some points. There are good players here so Daniela can't take anyone for granted but she can beat pretty anyone there. Wozniacki's the top seed here and Daniela beat here twice in the IPTL but Daniela also ended last year on a losing streak. Hopefully, her work in the off season will pay dividends although a lot will depend on how fit she is and what the draw is like. Whoever Daniela plays, she has to respect them.

That's a tough draw. If Daniela can win then it will really open up the draw for her and give her a big boost of confidence. Another thing is that Errani's form at the start of the season generally isn't that great so that's something else that gives Daniela a chance and Daniela beat Errani in Brisbane a couple of years ago.

Continuing her post-Hingis pattern, Daniela has another Doubles Partner Of The Week to begin 2015. It's Schiavone. They face Hlaveckova/Hradecka. Good night, nurse. I guess it's better that she gets horrific draws than for her not to be playing, which in theory could easily be the case for a player who began a professional career in tennis in 1998. So while the draws suck and losses will still hurt, I'll just savor every moment Daniela gives us to keep rooting for her.

DANIELA WINS 63 62

5 Aces
17 Forehand Winners
19 Backhand Winners

WOW best match I've seen from Daniela for about 2 years!

Minor blip beginning of the 2nd set where she went 0-2 down but then 6 games on the trot.

Hey, eddy, dang you, I wanted to break the great news first! You had said many times last year that Daniela had to make major improvement on 2nd serve. 45% today, and many of them at key times. So far so good with Carlos!

A really good win and performance by Daniela and a great way to start the new year.

Hantuchova came home game against Errani, when the fourth Geme broke filing grueling and confirming breakaway built a lead 4: first At the beginning of the second act, although was losing 0: 2, but then won six games in a row. Mutual balance with Errani, which is the world's fourteen and adjusted to 6: 4. "I am very pleased with the demonstration game. With Carles Rodriguez, and my new coach John-Laffnie de Jager we are preparing hard and I worked hard I could not wait for the first match. I am very happy that today I works great two-handed backhand along the line, which has always been my favorite blow," said Hantuchova in the first interview right on court.

@ google translate

Ahhhh, great news