Key matches in Bris Int 1st rnd
THE MATCHES TO WATCH IN THE OPENING-ROUND OF THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
GRIGOR DIMITROV (BUL) v 5-GILLES SIMON (FRA)
French fifth seed Gilles Simon has drawn a tough first round opponent in the shape of former top-10 player Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian has a 7-3 record in Brisbane and made the semi-finals last year.
7-BERNARD TOMIC (AUS) v NICOLAS MAHUT (FRA)
The only seeded Australian in either draw, Bernard Tomic has a tricky match against experienced Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. Tomic has never faced Mahut in his career and will have to be on his game to avoid an early exit.
JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB) v 8-ROBERTA VINCI (ITA)
US Open finalist Roberta Vinci would have hoped for an easier start to the year than a match against former world No.1 Jankovic. The Serbian has a 5-2 record over the Italian although Vinci won the last time they met in Australia at the 2013 Sydney International.
3-MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS) v EKATERINA MAKAROVA (RUS)
Five-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova begins her title defence against compatriot Ekaterina Makarova. Sharapova does hold a 6-0 career record against world No.23 Makarova so the 28-year-old will be confident of a winning start to her Australian summer.
