Raonic set for Brisbane title defence

Top seed and reigning champion Milos Raonic will start his Brisbane International title defence at Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday.

The Canadian world No.3 will meet Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the second round after being afforded a first-round bye and the chance to overcome his jet lag after flying in from the Middle East.

Victory over Schwartzman would set up a likely quarter-final with Rafael Nadal who plays Mischa Zverev, the brother of German Hopman Cup player Alex who upset Roger Federer last night.

Australian Jordan Thompson is already through to the quarters after upsetting Spaniard David Ferrer and will now play world No.5 Kei Nishikori on Friday.

The top women's seeds will also be in action on Pat Rafter Arena with world No.1 Angelique Kerber, who overcome Australian Ash Barty in three sets, playing sixth seed Elina Svitolina and Dominika Cibulkova to take on France's Alize Cornet.

The women's quarter-final of the day looms in the battle between the in-form Svetlana Kutznetsova and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.