Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki headline the early entries into the Apia International Sydney. They will be joined by Agnieszka Radwanska, Petra Kvitova, Sam Stosur, and Dominika Cibulkova as the other early entrants. This tournament takes just a week before the Australian Open in the second week of the new season and takes place simultaneously as the WTA International event in Hobart.
Defending Champion Petra Kvitova And Simona Halep Return
This year’s champion Kvitova heads back to Sydney to defend her crown. With Halep entering, the Czech number one will be the second seed just like this year. Kvitova didn’t have too much difficulty en route to the title. She only ran into trouble against Australian Jarmila Gajdosova, winning in three sets, and in the final where she won in two tiebreak sets over countrywoman Karolina Pliskova. Halep withdrew from this year’s tournament with a gastrointestinal illness.
Radwanska And Cibulkova Return As Well
Radwanska returns to the Apia International Sydney as well, along with Cibulkova. Radwanska was seeded third this year but lost to Garbiñe Muguruza in three sets. Cibulkova was the seventh seed and also lost in the second round; she lost to wildcard Gajdosova.
Back-To-Back Weeks For Stosur And Wozniacki
Yesterday, we reported that Wozniacki will be beginning her season in Auckland along with Venus Williams. Sam Stosur will begin her season in Brisbane along with Maria Sharapova. With both women playing back-to-back weeks, they are looking for strong results headed into Melbourne Park.
Returnees Continue To Comeback
Radwanska plays in Sydney often with next year being her seventh year overall and fifth consecutive. For Kvitova, this is her fourth consecutive year while for Wozniacki, this will be the ninth straight year here. Australian Sam Stosur will be making her 10th appearance at the event as the home favorite.