Asia Pacific AO Wildcard play-off begins

The inaugural Asia-Pacific AO Wildcard (AWP) begins today with the qualifying men’s and women’s singles taking place at the Nanjing Sports Institute.
 
The Australian Open “Blue” courts are ready and so are the players who aim to earn a spot at 2013 Australian Open.
 
Top seed in the men’s qualifying draw is Indian hopefully Sanam Singh who is currently ranked 332 on the ATP Tour.   In the women’s field the top seed is China’s hopeful Yan Fan Wang who is currently ranked 519 on the WTA Tour.
 
The play-off, to be held in Nanjing, China, will feature main draw singles and doubles after the qualifying is completed.  

\ Main Draw Doubles begins Wednesday and main Draw Singles begins Thursday.  

The winners  will gain a prized wildcard into the Australian Open 2013 with a record $30 million of prize money purse on offer.
 
Ze Zhang is one of the Chinese stars participating in the 2012 event.  Zhang, the world No.140, created headlines two weeks ago at the China Open in Beijing with a stunning upset of world No.11 Richard Gasquet.
 
The Asia-Pacific Australian Open wildcard play-off will be held on 15-21 October 2012 at the Nanjing Sport Institute’s Tennis Academy of China and is presented in association with Rolex and ANZ with assistance from the China Tennis Association (CTA) and the Beijing International Group.