Nadia Petrova was today announced as the latest star signing to confirm she will begin her 2011 season at the Brisbane International this January.
The World No.17 was last year’s No.2 seed but drew returning Grand Slam champion Justine Henin in the first round.
On her return to the Brisbane International, Petrova said she was looking forward to achieving some strong results in 2011.
“I am excited to be returning to Brisbane. I have played on the Gold Coast five times and came to Brisbane for the first time last year,” Petrova said.
“The people of Queensland are lovely; the weather is perfect for preparing for the Australian Open and the tournament atmosphere both on and off the court is great for the players.
“The Brisbane International has very similar facilities to those at Melbourne Park and it is the ideal location to prepare for the Australian Open.
“My aim in January is to get a good start to the 2011 season by getting some tough match play in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam and playing deep into the Brisbane International tournament.
“I am also keen to see a little more of Queensland in my spare time too.”
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said Nadia will be a strong addition to the event.
“Nadia is an all-court aggressive player who is capable of hitting winners off both sides of the court,” Ayles said.
“Her backhand is considered to be one of the best in the women’s game and she also has one of the strongest serves on the WTA Tour along with the Williams sisters and Samantha Stosur. “
“In 2009 she hit the second most aces on the tour with 306, just behind Serena Williams and won over 72 per cent of her service games.
“Nadia will be a great addition to the Brisbane International women’s draw and we look forward to welcoming her back in January.”
Petrova has won 28 WTA titles, nine in singles and 19 in doubles. The 28 year old won her singles titles in Cincinnati and Quebec in 2008, Paris in 2007, Doha, Amelia Island, Charleston, Berlin and Stuttgart in 2006 and in Linz in 2005. She has also won four ITF tournaments in Makarsk, Hwar, Dubrovnik and Tbilisi.
The Russian reached a career-high singles ranking of No.3 in May 2006 and No.3 in doubles in March 2005.
She has reached the semifinals of the French Open in 2003 and 2005 and in doubles and won the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in 2004 with Meghann Shaughnessy.