A stellar entry list for the Brisbane International has been unvelied, with several of the world’s best doubles players.
Frenchmen Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut, who finished the 2016 season in the 2nd place of the doubles ranking, will have the first seed. Brisbane will be their only doubles tournament before the Australian Open, as Herbert is set to play the Canberra Challenger the week after, while Mahut will compete in the Sydney International.
Also, the defending champions Henri Kontinen and John Peers will take part to the event. Last year the London Master’s winners defeated Chris Guccione and James Duckworth to win one of their five titles of 2016. They are likely to be the second seeds of the tournament.
Another very strong team is that formed by South Africa’s Raven Klaasen and by USA’s Rajeev Ram. The pair had a huge end of 2016 and can play a very nice tennis, especially on the fast courts.
Croatia’s Ivan Dodig will partner Poland’s Lukasz Kubot, while Canada’s Daniel Nestor will partner France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Furthermore, some singles top players have entered the tournament in doubles as well.
Coming-back Rafael Nadal will play with fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez, Japan’s Kei Nishikori will play with Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka with France’s Lucas Pouille.
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Pakistan’s Aisam Qureshi are the last direct acceptances.
ATP Brisbane (AUS, Hard Outdoor), Doubles entry list:
1. Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) / Nicolas Mahut (FRA)
2. Dominic Thiem (AUT) / Kei Nishikori (JPN)
3. Henri Kontinen (FIN) / John Peers (AUS)
4. Marc Lopez (ESP) / Rafael Nadal (ESP)
5. Lucas Pouille (FRA) / Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
6. Raven Klaasen (RSA) / Rajeev Ram (USA)
7. Daniel Nestor (CAN) / Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
8. Ivan Dodig (CRO) / Lukasz Kubot (POL)
9. Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) / Horia Tecau (ROU)
10. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) / Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK)
Alternates:
1. Robert Lindstedt (SWE) / Michael Venus (NZL)
2. Stephane Robert (FRA) / Gilles Simon (FRA)
3. Steve Johnson (USA) / Mischa Zverev (GER)
4. Sam Groth (AUS) / Chris Guccione (AUS)
