World number three Novak Djokovic will warm up for his Australian Open defence at the inaugural Brisbane International in January, organisers said today.

Djokovic tops a star-studded line-up for the January 4-11 tournament, which replaces the women's Gold Coast event and the men's Adelaide International.

Beaten Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet are also in the men's draw, while Serbian beauty Ana Ivanovic is the top women's seed.

Other confirmed starters include Cypriot wildcard Marcos Baghdatis, Sweden's Robin Soderling, Czech Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish from the US and Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Ivanovic will face competition from 2006 Australian Open winner Amelie Mauresmo, China's Li Na, Belarus teenager Victoria Azarenka and Marion Bartoli of France.

Tournament director Steve Ayles said the standard would be high given the cut-off for men's qualification was world number 63, and 56 for women.

"It is going to be very exciting to see who's going to start their 2009 season in the best possible way - in good form and with a title win at a new event and stadium," he said.

AFP

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