Preview: Qualifying round one

The scene is set for day one of qualifying
8 January 2016, by hobartinternational.com.au

Four main draw spots at Hobart International 2016 is the prize on offer when qualifying hits off at the Domain Tennis Centre this morning.

Australian wildcard Naiktha Bains is first up on centre court, taking on Netherlands’ Richel Hogenkamp. The No.609-ranked 18-year-old faces a tough challenge against her No.132 ranked opponent, who qualified here last year.

Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava has been dealt a rough draw too, facing fifth-seeded Pole Urszula Radwanska in her WTA Tour level debut. They meet in the second match on centre court.

Radwanska, the world No.94, is the younger sister of world No.5 Agnieszka Radwanska and has a career-high rank of No.29. The 25-year-old will start favourite against highly-touted 15-year-old Aiava, the world No.675.

Czech Klara Koukalova, the 2014 Hobart International finalist, also features on centre court, taking on Croatian Jana Fett. This the 10th visit to Hobart for the world No.99.

German Tatjana Maria is the top seed in the qualifying draw. The world No.74 faces Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the second match on Court Events Tasmania.

That match follows Japan’s Kurumi Nara, a semifinalist here in 2015, facing Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo.

– View the qualifying draw

– Take a look at the full order of play