Nanjing, China, 15 October 2012 | Tennis Australia

The inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard play-off begins today with the qualifying men’s and women’s singles taking place at the Nanjing Sports Institute’s Tennis Academy of China in Nanjing, China.

The Australian Open plexicusion courts are ready and so are the players, aiming to earn a spot in the main draw at Australian Open 2013.

Top seed in the men’s qualifying draw is Indian hopeful Sanam Singh who is currently ranked world No.332. In the women’s field the top seed is China’s Yan Fan Wang, ranked 519th in the world.

The play-off will feature main draw singles and doubles after qualifying is completed. The main draw doubles begins Wednesday and main draw singles on Thursday.

The winners of the main draw will gain a prized wildcard into the Australian Open 2013, at which a record $30 million of prize money purse is 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, presented in association with Rolex and ANZ with assistance from the China Tennis Association (CTA) and the Beijing International Group.