media release Wednesday 12 November 2008 A touch of glamour comes to Brisbane Slovakian glamour girl, Daniela Hantuchova , is the latest to confirm her attendance at the Brisbane International in January. The world number 19 was a semifinalist at the Australian Open in 2008 and broke into the top 10 when she reached number 5 in August 2002. She will be joined by French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic and reigning Australian Women's Hardcourt Champion Na Li in the women’s draw. The men’s draw boasts Novak Djokovic , Jo-Wilfried Tsonga , Marcos Baghdatis, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Mardy Fish with the player cut off date for the tournament on the 21 November. Daniela Hantuchova said “I am really excited about returning to Australia and playing a strong field in the lead up to the Grand Slam. “I took home some really nice memories last year. It was something very special for me. “With my preparation this year and the quality field at the Brisbane International, I will be even more ready. “I love Australia and have played in tournaments there since 2001. I am looking forward to playing in this new event and challenging some high quality players in the lead up to the Australian Open.” Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles is thrilled with this latest addition. “Daniela Hantuchova brings style and grace to the court as well as ‘effortless’ power from her ground strokes and a heavy serve. “She will be a great addition to the tournament’s line-up and we can’t wait to welcome her to Brisbane.” Hantuchova became a professional tennis player in 1999, when she was 15. She has won three WTA singles tournaments in her career, the first in 2002 at the Tier I Pacific Life Open, defeating Martina Hingis 6–3 6–4 in the final, and in 2007 at the same tournament, defeating Hingis again in the fourth round and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final 6–3 6–4 and ending a 5-year title drought. For further media information, please contact: Darren Pearce, Manager – Media, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4230, 0409 506 812 Brooke Boger, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: + 61 3 9914 4138, 0401 561 354 Prue Ryan, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4175, 0419 308 369 media release Her most recent title came at the 2007 Generali Ladies Linz in Austria, where she defeated Patty Schnyder 6–4, 6–2 in the final. She has reached six other finals in her career - Filderstadt 2002, Eastbourne 2004, Los Angeles 2005, Zurich Open 2006, Bali 2007 and Luxembourg 2007. Her most notable career-bests are three quarterfinals at Wimbledon and US Open in 2002 and the Australian Open in 2003. She also reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open this year when she lost to Ana Ivanovic 0-6 6-3 6-4 after she won the first eight games to be up 6-0 2-0. Hantuchova speaks six languages, was trained as a classical pianist and is known as an all-rounder in tennis with strong forehands, backhand and volleys. Tickets are now on sale for the Brisbane International through Ticketek , with reserved stadium seating starting at just $24.90. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104. - ends - Brisbane International 2009, presented by Mirvac in association with Queensland Events, will take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane from January 4 to 11, 2009. For further media information, please contact: Darren Pearce, Manager – Media, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4230, 0409 506 812 Brooke Boger, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: + 61 3 9914 4138, 0401 561 354 Prue Ryan, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4175, 0419 308 369 .