New Zealand squash players Jaclyn Hawkes and Joelle King have major tasks ahead of them in the first round of the main draw of the A1 Homes New Zealand Women’s Open at Mt Maunganui today.

Hawkes, the world number 15, has drawn the top seed and world number two, Natalie Grainger (USA) in the first round tonight after earning an automatic place in the main draw.

King, who won through after a five-game nail-biter in second round qualifying yesterday, has drawn the third seed and former world number one, Rachael Grinham (AUS) this afternoon.

The other New Zealander in the main draw, world number 10 Shelley Kitchen takes on Hong Kong’s Annie Au.

Hawkes has beaten Grainger once in their previous five meetings, which was her outstanding five-set victory in last year’s World Open with Grainger prevailing three times in 2007 and also last year at the Carol Weymuller Open.

Grainger has come into the event with an injury cloud after withdrawing from last month’s World Games although she has enjoyed four tournament wins this year and also ended world No 1 Nicol David's 56 match unbeaten run in the final of the Kuala Lumpur Open.

King, who has progressed to her first Gold Star WISPA event main draw, lost to Grinham in their only previous meeting, in four games at the Sharm El-Sheikh Open last year.

Kitchen has won the only previous match against world number 14, Au in four games earlier this year in a closely fought affair 13-11 11-7 5-11 11-9.