The current jostle for top spot in the women’s game is fierce and crowded. And after the revolving door of world No.1s in 2017, Garbiñe Muguruza is well placed to stamp a more permanent claim in the year ahead.
The 24-year-old had her turn at the top – albeit briefly – last season and despite ending the year behind Simona Halep, was named WTA Player of the Year on the back of her stunning run to a second grand slam title over Venus Williams at Wimbledon and a title run in Cincinnati.
On Tuesday, the Brisbane International’s top seed will open play on Pat Rafter Arena in her first match against diminutive Serb, Aleksandra Krunic. Krunic landed her best result at last year’s US Open where she took down world No.9 Johanna Konta in the opening round.
“I know it’s going to be a tough year,” the Spaniard said, after five women took turns at the top of the rankings last year. “You know, it’s just a mindset that I want to have. I know [the No.1 ranking] is always in play, and it is going to be for the rest of the year, maybe in play.”
Australian fans are in for a treat with the late addition of former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt to the men’s doubles draw.
The 2014 singles champion will team with countryman Jordan Thompson to take on defending men’s champion Grigor Dimitrov and Ryan Harrison.
Thompson won the Brisbane International with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis last year.
The second feature match on Day 3 sees fast-rising Canadian 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov against Brit Kyle Edmund.
The talented lefty announced his arrival on home turf in Montreal last year, when he took down world No.1 Raphael Nadal en route to the semifinals.
It helped him qualify for the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals at season’s end. Shapovalov and Edmund’s head-to-head record is tied at 1-1.
Brisbane local John Millman has a habit of bringing his best to his home tournament, having competed in two of the most thrilling night matches seen on Pat Rafter Arena.
In 2013, he pushed Andy Murray all the way in a second-round defeat, while a year later he did the same, this time letting a set and break lead slip in a loss to Roger Federer.
He opens his 2018 campaign against Canadian qualifier Peter Polansky on Tuesday night. The two have never met.
Opening the Tuesday night session, wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic will look to continue her comeback from injury when she meets fifth-seeded Brit, Johanna Konta.
Croatian-born Tomljanovic – who recently scored “20 out of 20” in her Australian citizenship test – beat fellow wildcard Destanee Aiava first up. Konta snapped a four-match losing streak to beat US Open finalist Madison Keys on Monday.
She won titles in Sydney and Miami last season and reached the Wimbledon semifinals. Tomljanovic and Konta have never played.