Former world No.1 Justine Henin faces a tough first-round match in her official comeback tournament after drawing Russian second seed Nadia Petrova on Saturday.
Henin, a wildcard in the week-long Brisbane International, was the last player drawn in the 32-strong women’s event, ironically conducted by Petrova.
The Russian winced and gave a rueful smile as she turned Henin’s name card over at a public draw in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall.
Although currently 20th in the world and previously ranked as high as No.3, Petrova knows how difficult the Monday afternoon clash will be after playing an exhibition match against Henin three weeks ago.
The Belgian, who has looked as sharp as ever on the Queensland Tennis Centre practise courts this week, beat her in straight sets in Cairo.
In an interesting side story, the last name to be drawn was that of Justine Henin, which sets up a potential dream final with compatriot and top seed Kim Clijsters.
US Open champion Clijsters starts her year by kicking off the tournament on Pat Rafter Arena against Italian Tathiana Garbin on Sunday.
Australian Jelena Dokic also drew a tough first-round opponent in third seed and former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic.
Men’s top seed Andy Roddick drew Australian Davis Cup player Peter Luczak, while fellow American drawcard James Blake will play fifth-seeded compatriot and good friend, Sam Querry.
Rising young Gold Coaster Bernard Tomic received a good break by drawing a qualifier but is on course to play defending champion Radek Stepanek in the second round.
The second-seeded Czech drew another Australian wildcard in Queensland local John Millman.
In other key matches, third-seeded Gael Monfils will take on Taylor Dent, popular Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis will tackle a tricky project when he meets Mardy Fish in the opening round and big-hitting Australian Carsten Ball will face Germany’s Mischa Zverev.
In other women’s draw match-ups, Daniela Hantuchova got a friendly draw and will play a qualifier, Australia’s Casey Dellacqua will face a qualifier, while Alicia Molik will meet Ekaterina Makarova and if she gets through to the second round, she could meet Clijsters.
View the men’s singles main draw