By Britwatch Team
- Top Seeds: Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Petra Kvitova
- Defending Champion: Elina Svitolina
- CLICK our featured players for stats from TennisAbstract
- British Interest: Johanna Konta, Heather Watson [Q], Harriet Dart [Q]
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – Having book-ended her season with trophy-ware, Elina Svitolina has a lot to prove as she heads up a high class Brisbane field.
-Travel to your favourite tournaments and sporting events with Expedia-
Don’t just read about it, travel to some of the best tournaments and sporting events in the world. Book your flights, hotels and car hire from Expedia
CLICK TO BUILD YOUR OWN DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE via Britwatch Sports |
---|
Tournament Fast Facts
Level | WTA Premier |
Surface | Hard (O) |
Singles Draw | 32 |
Doubles Draw | 16 |
Prize Money | $1000,000 |
Tournament Website | |
YouTube | |
Top seeds | [1] Elina Svitolina
[2] Naomi Osaka [3] Sloane Stephens [4] Petra Kvitova [5] Karolina Pliskova [6] Kiki Bertens [7] Daria Kasatkina [8] Anastasija Sevastova |
Top Half | [1] Elina Svitolina
[6] Kiki Bertens [3] Sloane Stephens [5] Karolina Pliskova |
Bottom Half | [7] Daria Kasatkina
[4] Petra Kvitova 8] Anastasija Sevastova [2] Naomi Osaka |
Draw & Results
Tournament Website |
Order of Play |
Singles |
Doubles |
Qualifying |
-Latest player gear | Pro:Direct Tennis Shop-
Buy the latest gear from the top players from the Pro:Direct Tennis Shop and check out their 80% off sale on selected tennis equipment now on
CLICK TO BUY FROM PRO DIRECT TENNIS via Britwatch Sports |
---|
|
[1] Elina Svitolina
This year will be a time of reckoning for the steady Ukrainian as Svitolina looks to not only defend her title but capitalise on the momentum of last year where she proved the ‘haters’ wrong and scooped the season-ending title.
First up is a rematch of last year’s Brisbane final in the second round, and from there on it is rematch city for Svitolina, facing Kiki Bertens once more for the first time since the Singapore semi-finals, before a potential rematch of the Singapore final against Sloane Stephens.
While she has not faced Naomi Osaka since Miami, a lot has happened in the young Japanese player’s career too so if it came to pass, it would make an intriguing final.
Svitolina’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE
- R2: Aliaksandra Sasnovich
- QF: Kiki Bertens [6]
- SF: Sloane Stephens [3]
- F: Naomi Osaka [2]
[2] Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka in the first round-robin match at the WTA Finals 2018, Singapore | Jimmie48 Tennis Photography
It is safe to say 2018 was not only a great year for the young, quirky Osaka, but a steep learning curve. From winning her biggest title to date in her career in Indian Wells to THAT US Open final and all that came with it, All eyes will now be on Osaka to see how she starts the new season.
2018 ended up tailing away from her a little, as she struggled in Singapore, retiring in the last match and not getting out of the group stages. But so far in pre-tournament activities she looks relaxed and having fun.
Anastasija Sevastova might cause her some issues at the quarter-final stage, having beaten her twice in 2018, and if she gets through that she has a first time meeting with Petra Kvitova to potentially look forward to. Svitolina leads their head to head, having won their last two encounters in 2018.
Osaka’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: BYE
- R2: Kristina Mladenovic
- QF: Anastasija Sevastova [8]
- SF: Petra Kvitova [4]
- F: Elina Svitolina [1]
-Viagogo Tennis Tickets-
Search Viagogo for tennis tickets for upcoming tournaments
CLICK TO BUY TENNIS TICKETS FROM VIAGOGO via Britwatch Sports |
---|
[3] Sloane Stephens

Sloane Stephens in the first round-robin match at the WTA Finals 2018, Singapore | Jimmie48 Tennis Photography
Stephens very nearly became a two-time Slam champion and came up against an inspired Svitolina at the season-ending finals, and emerges as a decent chance for silverware to start the year in Brisbane. She will start against Johanna Konta – a horrible draw for the Brit.
It will be a WTA Finals semi-final rematch is she faces No. 5 seed Karolina Pliskova, and the final rematch should she face Svitolina in the semi-final – if she can get past all of that she ought to fancy her chances of taking the silverware.
Stephens’ Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Johanna Konta
- R2: Katerina Siniakova
- QF: Karolina Pliskova [5]
- SF: Elina Svitolina [1]
- F: Naomi Osaka
[4] Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in acton during her first match at the 2018 WTA Finals tennis tournament
Firm fan favourite Kvitova returns to Brisbane after a few years’ absence, after her end of season ended in the group stages of the WTA Finals, but a year that saw her go on a long winning spree on the clay, and re-establish herself in the Top 10.
While a packed field like this has no easy matches, this is a surprisingly favourable draw for the popular Czech – she could be a good bet to upset the odds and start the season with a win.
Kvitova’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)
- R1: Danielle Collins
- R2: Anett Kontaveit
- QF: Daria Kasatkina [7]
- SF: Naomi Osaka [2]
- F: Elina Svitolina [1]
How to Watch/Follow the Brisbane International
WTA Premier | Coverage on BT Sport 1, 2, 3, Extra 1 & ESPN |
ATP 250 | Eurosport 1 & Eurosport Player |
FOLLOW LIVE | http://bit.ly/BritwatchTennisLS
The Brisbane International takes place between 31 December – 6 January (+10 hours)
-Connected Clubs-
Shop at Connected Clubs for a vast range in tennis equipment and training aids to help improve your tennis.
CLICK TO BUY TENNIS EQUIPMENT FROM CONNECTED CLUBS via Britwatch Sports |
---|
![]() |
CLICK TO BUY TENNIS TICKETS FROM VIAGOGO via Britwatch Sports |
---|
Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
---|---|
Subscribe to Britwatch Sports | |
Soundcloud | |
YouTube |
Leave a Reply