World number one Martina Hingis and her good friend Anna Kournikova were yesterday confirmed as definite starters for the Watson's Water Millennium Cup from January 5-8. But there was no word as yet if Hingis' arch-rivals, the Williams sisters, would turn up to renew a growing rivalry at the exhibition event to be held at Victoria Park. 'It is a great coup to get Hingis to Hong Kong. We got some help from Kournikova who told us when she was here last time that she would try and convince her good friend to come to Hong Kong,' said Terry Catton, co-tournament director. Exhibition or not, organisers of Hong Kong's popular tournament are keen to secure Serena and Venus Williams, knowing any showdown with Hingis can only generate huge interest, especially after the recent verbal spats between the Swiss star and her American peers at the US Open. 'It is our great hope that we get the Williams sisters. There is a healthy rivalry between them and Hingis which is great for the women's game,' said Catton. If organisers are unsuccessful in securing the Williams sisters, chances are high that French star Mary Pierce or American ace Lindsay Davenport will be invited. 'We are even looking at Steffi Graf again. Even though she has retired, she still plays in a few exhibition events,' said Catton. The other tournament director, Brian Catton, is currently in Florida, negotiating with the Williams family. Appearance money (there is no prize money at this event) and the question as to whether they will play at next year's Australian Open (later in January) will be the issues organisers will have to hurdle. 'If they decide to play at the Australian Open, then the chances of them coming here are high. We have only just started negotiating with them,' said Colvin Brown, Hong Kong Tennis Patrons' Association president. It is understood that the Williams sisters had asked 'double' the amount they received last year. A bid also to acquire just one of the sisters - probably Serena - had failed as the answer had been both or none. 'Things have changed since they were here last time. Serena has won the US Open and they have been signed on by IMG. Now we have to talk to their agents too . . . and it is costly,' confirmed Haider Barma, HKTPA vice-patron. In its inaugural year the HKTPA had to dip into its own reserves to host the eight-woman event which included the Williams duo, Kournikova, Steffi Graf and four Asians, amongst them Hong Kong number one Tong Ka-po. But this time, thankfully, the HKTPA has managed to secure Watson's as the title sponsor. 'Without Watson's we might have struggled to have put on this tournament. Last time we had to dip into our reserves . . . but we have all along said we are committed to bringing world-class tennis to Hong Kong,' said Brown. According to Barma, it cost the HKTPA more than $10 million to stage the first tournament. 'We had to chip in with around $5 million of our own money. We barely broke even. But we are committed to this tournament,' said Barma. The format will be similar to last time. The four name players take on the best from Asia in a knockout competition on the first two days. The winner's will advance into the semis on January 7 followed by the final the next day. A doubles event will also be held. Organisers have still not fixed ticket prices but it will be in the $200 to $600 range. Double vision - Page 28 It is our hope that we get the Williams sisters. There is a rivalry between them and Hingis