Sofia Kenin gets a chance to atone for her disappointing Australian Open defence as the top seed at the Phillip Island Trophy event at Melbourne Park.
Dumped from the Open in the second round, Kenin is among three grand slam champions lining up at the WTA International tournament starting on Saturday.
Canadian Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, and American Sloane Stephens, another former major winner in New York, will also look to rebound from early Open exits.
After departing the Open in tears following her shock defeat to Kaia Kanepi, Kenin will return to play Australian teenager Olivia Gadecki in her first match.
Gadecki continued her outstanding summer with a 6-4 6-4 win over fellow Australian wildcard Destanee Aiava.
The 18-year-old from the Gold Coast is unranked but made the second round of Australian Open qualifying last month in Dubai, notching her first professional win in the pro ranks.
Fellow Australian Kimberly Birrell also received a wildcard into the $US235,800 ($302,500) Phillip Island Trophy, where players are fighting for world ranking points as well.
