SYDNEY, Aug 8: World number one and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic will headline Australia’s inaugural Brisbane International in 2009, organisers said on Friday.

The event, which replaces the women’s Gold Coast tournament and the men’s Adelaide International, will be held in the northeastern Australian city from Jan 4 to 11.

Ivanovic, who made the final of the Australian Open last January and is set to compete at the Olympics in Beijing, said she was expecting a high-quality field, excellent weather and a great venue in Brisbane.

“It will be the perfect launching pad for my preparation for the Australian Open,” the 20-year-old Serb said.

Tournament director Steve Ayles said Ivanovic’s appearance was “the ultimate endorsement for the event and the city.”

“We plan to put on one of the best events in world tennis and now we can showcase the talent of the number one ranked female on the planet,” he stated.—AFP