The Heineken tennis Open will welcome back a familiar face for the 2010 tournament in Auckland.

World number 18 David Ferrer has confirmed he will return after making this year's semi-finals. He has also reached the quarterfinals three times in the past and was crowned champion in 2007.

While his form has tailed off in the latter half of this year, tournament director Richard Palmer says Ferrer has still has had some good results. He says the Spaniard has made two finals and three semi-finals so 2009 has not been a complete write-off.

Ferrer joins David Nalbandian, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo as the tournament's main drawcards. All four players are familiar faces over the past few years and Palmer admits there is a touch of repetitiveness to the 2010 event. However, he still hopes to include some fresh names.

Meanwhile New Zealand women's number one Sacha Jones has risen nearly 50 places to a career high 168 in the latest rankings after reaching the final of an ITF tournament in Arizona.