Nadia Petrova is the latest star signing to confirm she will begin the 2010 season at the Brisbane International this January.
The top 20 player will join a very strong women’s line-up playing alongside Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic, Dinara Safina and Jelena Dokic in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster event.
Announcing her attendance today, Petrova said she was looking forward to experiencing her first Brisbane International.
“I am so excited to be travelling to Brisbane for the first time. I have played on the Gold Coast five times and I loved the weather, the atmosphere and the culture in Queensland. It is a great time to be in Australia,” Petrova said.
“I cannot wait to see this new event and experience the facilities and courts, which I am told are very similar to those at the Australian Open.
“My aim in January is to get some tough match play in the lead up to the Australian Open and the Brisbane International is going to be ideal for that.
“I am also hoping I will also get the opportunity to see some of the many sights that Brisbane has to offer when I am not on court.”
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said the tournament is shaping up to be even bigger and better in its second year.
“The Brisbane International is going from strength to strength,” Ayles said.
“Petrova is another jewel to add to the already strong field expected in January.
“It will be a pleasure to welcome Petrova to the Queensland Tennis Centre for the first time and I have no doubt she will provide some strong competition to the other seeded players.”
Petrova has won 27 WTA titles, nine in singles and eighteen in doubles and has been a finalist on 20 other occasions in singles and doubles.
The 27 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, won the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in 2004 with Meghann Shaughnessy.
Currently ranked No.20 in singles and No.16 in doubles, Petrova was born in Moscow. Her parents were both athletes with her father Viktor a leading hammer thrower and her mother Nadezhda Ilyina won a bronze medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics in the 400 metre relay.
The final cut off for player entries into the Brisbane International is today, Sunday 22 November, with a full player list expected to be announced next week.
So far Andy Roddick, Gael Monfils, James Blake and Giles Simon have been confirmed for the men’s draw.
Brisbane International 2010 series packages and single sessions are on sale now. Ground passes remain $9.90 with the qualifying event on Friday 1–2 January 2010 remaining free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.