An in-form field ready for Hobart International 2016

Of the 23 confirmed players in the Hobart International field so far, 13 of them reached career-high ranks in 2015. It bodes for one of the fiercely-contested tournaments in the event’s 23-year history.

Could a new rising star be crowned our 2016 champion?

Belgian Alison Van Utyvanck headlines a list of fast-improving title contenders. The 21-year-old is making her third visit to Hobart, with her ranking improvement ensuring main draw entry for the first time.

Van Utyvanck made giant gains after a French Open quarterfinal run in 2015. The result pushed her from a rank of No.93 into the top 50. She backed up this performance with two semifinal runs at tournaments later in the season, edging her close to a top 40 debut by season-end.

German Annika Beck, competing in Hobart for a third time, similarly returns as a much improved player. The 21-year-old upset Agnieszka Radwanska at the French Open, in a season where she reached a new career-high of No.41.

Brazilian Teliana Pereira broke into the world’s top 50 in 2015, winning two titles after starting the season outside the top 100. Her best results have been on clay, but the world No.46 could prove to be a surprise packet in the draw.

Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic almost halved her ranking, coming from outside the top 100 to finish at world No.58.

The 21-year-old will contest her first Hobart main draw, having lost in qualifying here in the past two years.

Brit Johanna Konta started the 2015 season ranked No.150, but was No.47 by season-end. Remarkably most of her ranking gain came in the final months, boosted by a fourth round run at the US Open as a qualifier.

Countrywoman Heather Watson achieved her career-high after winning Hobart International 2015 and returns with fond memories.

> Who else is in the field?

Could one of these form players win the 2016 Hobart International? There is only 12 days until main draw action hits off.  Join the #HobartTennis conversation on social media and tell us what you think – Twitter and Facebook.