DARIA’S QUEST WITH THE BEST
WATCHING Alex de Minaur’s stunning rise has inspired fellow Australian Daria Gavrilova to use the Brisbane International as a springboard to grand slam success next year.
World No.36 Gavrilova has confirmed she will contest next month’s Brisbane tournament for the first time in three years, completing a stellar women’s field that includes seven of the world’s top 10 players.
The former US Open girls champion said she wanted to test herself against the best in Brisbane in a bid to spark 2019 momentum just like de Minaur did this year.
The 19-year-old de Minaur stunned the 2018 Brisbane International field, reaching the semi-finals and a week later made the final four at Sydney. It kick-started a breakout season in which the teenager started 2018 at No.201 and finished as Australia’s top-ranked male player at 31, earning ATP World Tour’s Newcomer of the Year honours.
Gavrilova, 24, needed inspiration after dropping out of the world top 30 in 2018, ensuring she cannot rely on grand slam seedings for the first time in years. And she says she found it inspiring watching de Minaur channel Lleyton Hewitt this year.
“Last year I was watching de Minaur a lot (in Brisbane) and everyone was supporting him,” she said.
“I want to start my season on a high. I want to challenge myself against top players.”
Gavrilova will join de Minaur as part of a six-strong Australian contingent at the Brisbane International that also includes Nick Kyrgios, John Millman and Sam Stosur.
The women’s field will be headed by world No.4 Elina Svitolina and reigning US Open champ Naomi Osaka.