The stage is set for some fierce competition at Brisbane International 2011.
With the full playing list announced today, three of the top 10 ranked men and seven of the top 25 women in the world are set to headline an exciting field in January.
In the men’s draw, reigning Brisbane International men’s singles champion, five-time Grand Slam finalist and world No.8, Andy Roddick will be a major attraction.
He will be joined by world No.5, Robin Soderling who was a quarterfinalist at the Brisbane International 2009 and returning 2009 finalist and current No.9 Fernando Verdasco.
Returning to the Brisbane International in 2011 will be Marcos Baghdatis, Mardy Fish, Radek Stepanek, Nadia Petrova, Marion Bartoli, Jarmila Groth, Anastasia Rodionova and Jelena Dokic as a wildcard entry.
This will be Stepanek’s third appearance at the Brisbane International having won the event in 2009 and was a finalist in 2010.
Australia will be well represented in the women’s draw, with Australia’s No.1 tennis player, Sam Stosur, headlining.
The Australian line-up includes world No.6, Samantha Stosur, No.42 Jarmila Groth who reached the fourth round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, and world No.64, Anastasia Rodionova who is ranked inside the top 100 players in the world for the fifth season in a row and is a dual gold medallist from the Commonwealth games in India.
Former world No.4 and Australian favourite Jelena Dokic will be joined by fellow crowd favourites Gilles Simon, Feliciano Lopez and Daniela Hantuchova.
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said that the strength of this year’s playing field is spectacular.
“It seems to be getting bigger each year. It’s great to see some of the big names from the last couple of years return and to see some champions sign on for the first time. Ayles said
“The strength in the playing field really says a lot about the calibre of the event, the city and the way that the tournament is run.
“It’s going to be exciting to see how each player performs and who can start the year off with a title win in Brisbane and set themselves up for a great run heading into the Australian Open.”
Official Brisbane International line-up (men)
Soderling, Robin SWE No.5
Roddick, Andy USA No.8
Verdasco, Fernando ESP No.9
Fish, Mardy USA No.16
Baghdatis, Marcos CYP No.20
Lopez, Feliciano ESP No.32
Mayer, Florian GER No.37
Istomin, Denis UZB No.40
Granollers, Marcel ESP No.41
Simon, Gilles FRA No.42
de Bakker, Thiemo NED No.43
Benneteau, Julien FRA No.44
Dolgopolov, Alexandr UKR No.48
Becker, Benjamin GER No.53
Berrer, Michael GER No.55
Petzschner, Philipp GER No.57
Anderson, Kevin RSA No.61
Stepanek, Radek CZE No.62
Giraldo, Santiago COL No.64
Kamke, Tobias GER No.67
Serra, Florent FRA No.69
Kubot, Lukasz POL No.70
Sela, Dudi ISR No.75
Clement, Arnaud FRA No.78
Andreev, Igor RUS No.79
Official Brisbane International line-up (women)
Stosur, Samantha AUS No.6
Peer, Shahar ISR No.13
Petrova, Nadia RUS No.15
Bartoli, Marion FRA No.16
Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia RUS No.21
Pennetta, Flavia ITA No.24
Kleybanova, Alisa RUS No.25
Dulgheru, Alexandra ROU No.29
Hantuchova, Daniela SVK No.30
Cibulkova, Dominika SVK No.31
Petkovic, Andrea GER No.32
Safarova, Lucie CZE No.33
Kvitova, Petra CZE No.34
Vinci, Roberta ITA No.38
Groth, Jarmila AUS No.42
Errani, Sara ITA No.43
Schnyder, Patty SUI No.44
Hercog, Polona SLO No.47
Chakvetadze, Anna RUS No.56
Benesova, Iveta CZE No.59
Kudryavtseva, Alla RUS No.60
Rodionova, Anastasia AUS No.64
Parra Santonja, Arantxa ESP No.65
Zahlavova Strycova, Barbora CZE No.67
Dokic, Jelena AUS Wildcard
Brisbane International 2011 series packages and single sessions are on sale now.
Ground passes for the event are $12.90 with the qualifying event on Friday 31 December and Saturday 1 January 2011 remaining free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational or call 1300 888 104.