ASB Tennis Classic organisers are hoping the tournament's latest signing will eventually lead to Ana Ivanovic playing in Auckland.
Romanian world number 27 Sorana Cirstea is the second signing announced for the Classic, after world number four Agnieska Radwanska.
Cirstea is best friends with Ivanovic who tournament director Karl Budge hopes will play here in 2014.
Budge says Cirstea is a top player in her own right.
"She's playing really consistent tennis so I think she's a good name for us to get here and a lot of personality, she's a good looking girl as well which always helps, so we're happy to have her services.''
Meanwhile Budge says he is still in negotiations with defending Heineken Open champion David Ferrer about returning to Auckland.
An announcement could come next week.