A strong field is confirmed to contest the 26th edition of the Hobart International in January 2019.
Here is a breakdown of an outstanding field:
One former Hobart International singles champions: Alize Cornet (2016)
Nine current top 50 players: Mihaela Buzarnescu (No.24), Zhang Shuai (No.40), Maria Sakkari (No.41), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (No.42), Belinda Bencic (No.44), Alize Cornet (No.47), Kirsten Flipkens (No.48), Magdalena Rybarikova (No.49), Alison Van Uytvanck (No.50)
Six former top 20 players: Belinda Bencic (career-high No.7 in 2016), Alize Cornet (career-high No.11 in 2009), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (career-high No.13 in 2011), Kirsten Flipkens (No.13 in 2013), Magdalena Rybarikova (career-high No.17 in 2018), Mihaela Buzarnescu (career-high No.20 in 2018)
READ: Cornet, Buzarnescu and Bencic to headline 2019 tournament
Six players who have reached Grand Slam quarterfinals: Zhang Shuai (Australian Open 2016), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (French Open 2011, US Open 2011, Wimbledon 2016, Australian Open 2017), Belinda Bencic (US Open 2014), Kirsten Flipkens (Wimbledon 2013), Magdalena Rybarikova (Wimbledon 2017), Alison Van Uytvanck (French Open 2015)
Eleven players who achieved career-high rankings in 2018: Magdalena Rybarikova (No.17 in March), Mihaela Buzarnescu (No.20 in August), Maria Sakkari (No.29 in September), Alison Van Uytvanck (No.37 in August), Sofia Kenin (No.48 in October), Rebecca Peterson (No.52 in October), Viktoria Kuzmova (No.54 in July), Dayana Yastremska (No.58 in November), Ons Jabeur (No.60 in November), Vera Lapko (No.60 in October), Wang Yafan (No.70 in November)
Seven players who won WTA titles in 2018: Mihaela Buzarnescu (San Jose), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Strasbourg), Alize Cornet (Gstaad), Alison Van Uytvanck (Budapest), Pauline Parmentier (Istanbul, Quebec City), Dayana Yastremska (Hong Kong), Timea Babos (Taipei City)
Eight players making Hobart debut: Belinda Bencic, Sofia Kenin, Viktoria Kuzmova, Dayana Yastremska, Rebecca Peterson, Ons Jabeur, Vera Lapko, Wang Yafan
Fans who purchase their Hobart International tickets in November enter the draw to win the tournament’s biggest-ever fan prize, a ‘live like a player’ experience. The prize includes finals tickets, accommodation in the official player hotel, pre-match dining in the player restaurant, official tournament transport to and from the venue, as well as the chance to attend the singles champions’ official trophy photo shoot. Tickets are available now through Ticketek.
Hobart International 2019 takes place at the Domain Tennis Centre from 5-12 January 2019.