Sydney NSW, Australia, 3 January 2014 | apiainternational.com.au

Australian Jarmila Gajdosova and emerging Croatian talent Ajla Tomljanovic have today been awarded wildcards into the women’s main draw at Apia International Sydney 2014.

The pair will take their place in a stacked women’s field featuring six of the world’s top 10, headed by fifth-ranked defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, and former world No.1s Jelena Jankovic and Caroline Wozniacki.

The 26-year-old Gajdosova continues to take impressive steps in her comeback from mononucleosis, which sidelined her for more than six months in 2013.

In her first event back at the WTA tournament in Nanjing, she reached the semifinals as a qualifier, and continued her good form by progressing to the Australian Open Play-off quarterfinals at Melbourne Park in December.

“It’s great to see Jarka back and playing tennis at a high level after her struggles in 2013,” said tournament director Craig Watson.

“The fact that she’s a former 25 player, has lots of power and experience, and is very popular with the Aussie crowds, means she’ll be a major drawcard at Apia International Sydney in 2014.”

Gajdosova is a member of the Australian Fed Cup team and twice a WTA title winner, including on Australian soil at Hobart in 2011. In her fourth trip to Apia International Sydney, she’ll aim to surpass her career-best second round finish of 2009.

The 20-year-old Tomljanovic has one of the biggest movers on the tour in the past 12 months, having soared 380 places to her current mark of world No.73.

“Ajla was one of the biggest movers and shakers on tour last year, and no doubt fans will want to catch a glimpse of her in action,” said Watson.

“She’ll be an exciting one to watch as she continues to develop and rise up the ranks when she takes to the court at Apia International Sydney.”

After consistent success on the ITF circuit which helped her pocket four singles titles, Tomljanovic began making an impact at WTA level in 2013, beating Julia Goerges en route to the fourth round at the Sony Open in Miami and reaching the quarterfinals in Quebec City.

Apia International Sydney single session tickets and series packages are now available. One ticket provides access to every court with prices starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/booksydney or by calling 1300 888 104.

For further tournament information please visit www.apiainternational.com.au.

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