AFP, Adelaide :
Ashleigh Barty plans to use next week’s ATP-WTA Adelaide International to put the final polish on her Australian Open preparations after a shock defeat in Brisbane.
The world number one headlines the new event starting Sunday, part of a revised calendar in the run-up to the opening Grand Slam of the year which begins on January 20.
The Australian star will be desperate for court time after crashing at the first hurdle this week to American qualifier Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International.
The men’s draw in Adelaide is spearheaded by Australian Alex De Minaur after world number two Novak Djokovic pulled out on Saturday as he guides Serbia at the ATP Cup in Sydney, where they have made the final.
Barty denied beginning the season as the top-ranked player in front of her home fans had put extra pressure on.
