Jelena Dokic is heading to Hobart having been granted a wildcard into qualifying of the Moorilla Hobart International.

Revitalised after a strong year of training and achieving some success on the second-tier ITF Futures circuit, Dokic performed well against two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Monday.

The 25-year-old, competing in her first WTA match since May 2008, made Mauresmo fight for eventual victory and pushed the Frenchwoman to two tiebreaker sets 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-5) in a match lasting just under two hours. 

Moorilla Hobart International Tournament Director Michael Roberts said it is testament to the event that she has decided to finish her Australian Open 2009 preparation in Hobart.

“It will be great to see Dokic back in action at the Domain Tennis Centre, she is a great player and will be a fantastic drawcard for the tournament,” Roberts said.

“She was in good form in the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off at Melbourne Park last month and played well against a tough opponent in Brisbane.  Hopefully she can continue that form into the main draw here.

“She is a lot further along in her preparation than this time last year and will be a terrific addition to an already excellent women’s line up.

Yesterday, along with Samantha Stosur, Casey Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs, Dokic was named as a member of the Optus Australian Fed Cup team for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania group one zonals in Perth in February.

The former world No. 4 has worked steadily throughout 2008 to improve her ranking to within the world’s top 200 (currently 176) for the first time since 2004.

With her spot in the Australian Open already secure following her win in the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off, Dokic will be looking for all important match practice against some of the best women in the world when the tournament gets underway on Friday.

The qualifying event will kick start the 2009 Moorilla Hobart International on 9 January with the main draw action underway from 11 January.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek, with tickets starting at just $9.90.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104

For more Hobart International news, visit www.hobartinternational.com.au.