Klara Koukalova, last year’s beaten finalist, will open her bid to go one better in 2015 against Japan’s Kurumi Nara when the Hobart International the main draw action gets underway on Sunday morning.
Czech Koukalova, playing in Hobart for a ninth season, lost to Nara in her second final of 2014 in Rio de Janeiro before winning in Florianopolis. The pair will face off for a second time after Monica Puig and Kaia Kanepi play the opening match at Domain Tennis Centre.
> Check out the main draw ahead of the first round (PDF)
Kanepi, who pushed Brisbane International finalist Ana Ivanovic to three sets in their quarter-final, has never faced Puig before. The Puerto Rican will be hoping to gain some competitive court time in Hobart following her first-round exit at the ASB Classic.
No.5 seed Sloane Stephens, one of five Americans to earn direct entry to the draw in Hobart, faces world No.46 Monica Niculescu, winner of the doubles titles alongside Koukalova in 2014. Both players have claimed a win apiece from their previous encounters.
Madison Brengle will hope to add to the US contingent in the draw by beating Spain’s Silvia Soler-Espinosa in the final round of qualifying.
There will be plenty of doubles action on day one, with Australian duo Olivia Rogowska and Monique Adamczek taking on Ajla Tomljanovic and British No.1 Heather Watson, fresh from her run to the Hopman Cup semi-finals alongside Andy Murray.