WORLD number one Steffi Graf will make her Hong Kong debut in January next year.
German Graf, who this month won her third Grand Slam title of the year at the United States Open, will take part in the new-look, Opel-presented First Pacific Bank Challenge at Victoria Park.
The 24-year-old winner of five Wimbledon singles titles will be one of five players who will do battle in a three-day, expanded tournament from January 5-7.
Organisers are also hoping to attract another top-five player for the annual exhibition, which in previous years was a one-day event featuring two matches.
Last year saw former world number one Monica Seles beat American Jennifer Capriati.
Marcia Canady of promoters International Management Group said Graf will miss the Hopman Cup team event to participate in Hong Kong.
''Graf rarely plays exhibition events and usually at that time of the year she takes part in the Hopman Cup. So we are very lucky that she will be in Hong Kong,'' she said.