Former world No.1 Dinara Safina (RUS) will meet top seed Marion Bartoli (FRA) in the first night session of the 2011 Moorilla Hobart International on Monday 10 January.
Currently ranked No.63 in the world, Safina is one of the highest profile players to compete at the tournament and tennis fans in Tasmania will have the opportunity to see the former Australian Open runner-up challenge the top seed and world No.16 in the opening round.
Bartoli will be competing for the first time in the Moorilla Hobart International, and both players will be hoping for an ideal preparation in Hobart before the 2011 Australian Open.
“Dinara is always a drawcard and it will be fantastic to see her test herself against a top 20 player such as Bartoli,” Tournament Director Michael Roberts said.
“It’s going to be a great match and it’s fair to say that whoever wins the match will be in contention to win the tournament.”
Safina and Bartoli have played against each other on two occasions, with the French starlet winning both encounters in 2007.
No.6 seed Jarmila Groth (AUS) will face Johanna Larsson (SWE) in the opening round while Australian rising stars Sally Peers and Olivia Rogowska will both meet qualifiers in their first round matches.
Former champion Alicia Molik (AUS) was awarded a wildcard into the tournament and will face Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) in her first match for the year.
In other first round matches, No.2 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) will meet the flamboyant Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA), while British No.1 Elena Baltacha (GBR) will challenge former world top 20 player Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand.
Moorilla Hobart International 2011 series packages and single sessions are on sale now, with ticket prices starting from $9.90.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.