Day two preview: Safarova and Errani in action

9 January 2017, by Leigh Rogers

Get excited for day two main draw action at Hobart International 2017 –  the schedule features a Grand Slam champion, two Roland Garros finalists as well as the tournament’s top seed.

Czech Lucie Safarova opens proceedings on Centre Court, with the former world No.5 and French Open 2015 finalist facing Swiss Viktorija Golubic. Safarova, who is playing in Hobart for the first time since 2010, won their only previous meeting at last year’s French Open.

Grand Slam champion Francesca Schiavone, who won Roland Garros in 2010, follows against Croatian qualifier Jana Fett. It is the first time the pair have played.

Former world No.5 Sara Errani is next up, facing Japanese qualifier Risa Ozaki. Australian teen Jaimee Fourlis, in her WTA main draw debut, closes the day session facing Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

> Finish this sentence…Jaimee Fourlis

Top seed Kiki Bertens, the world No.22, headlines the first evening session of the tournament. She faces German Annika Beck, the world No.51. Bertens owns a 5-0 win-loss record against Beck, including a straight-sets win in the second round here in Hobart last year. The Dutchwoman arrived in Hobart yesterday after winning the doubles title in Auckland last week alongside Swede Johanna Larsson, who also features in today’s line-up.

Larsson, the tournament’s 11th seed, faces Czech Kristyna Pliskova, the twin of world No.5 Karolina, on Court Triple M.

Also in action on the outside courts is former world No.9 Andrea Petkovic and France’s Kristina Mladenovic, fresh from winning the Mastercard Hopman Cup alongside Richard Gasquet in Perth last week. Both feature in matches on Court Events Tasmania.

Tickets are still available via Ticketekby calling 1300 888 104 or can be purchased at the Domain Tennis Centre box office. Gates open at 10am for the day session, with play from 11am, and at 5pm for the night session, with play not before 7pm.