The world number one headlines the new event starting Sunday, part of a revised calendar in the run-up to the opening Grand Slam of the year which begins on January 20. Barty denied beginning the season as the top-ranked player in front of her home fans had put extra pressure on. She will begin in the second round at Adelaide, joining second seed Simona Halep with a bye. Top 10 players Petra Kvitova and Kiki Bertens are also in the field, along with world number eight Belinda Bencic who was given a wildcard entry when Venus Williams withdrew injured. Barty had said she expected to quickly pick up the pieces of her game after her Brisbane setback.

Source: The Guardian January 11, 2020 09:11 UTC