Seventh-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to illness, postponing the start of the first round of the inaugural tournament.
World No. 29 Kirilenko was due to kick off the tournament with a centre court match against Queenslander Sam Stosur to christen the 5500-seat Pat Rafter Arena.
But tournament organisers were told shortly before the scheduled start on Sunday morning the Russian had pulled out with an illness.
As the tournament was yet to officially start, the draw has been altered to see the next highest ranked player not to be seeded, Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama (No.31), take Kirilenko’s position in the draw.
Sugiyama’s match with leading Australian Stosur, ranked 52nd in the world, is expected to be played either Sunday afternoon or Monday.
The extra place in the 32-strong women’s draw is now set to go to a lucky loser from qualifying.
Australia’s second highest ranked men’s player, Chris Guccione, who was overlooked for a wildcard to the tournament, will play a qualifying match against American Amer Delic to open Sunday’s proceedings on Rafter Arena.