WTA 500 Brisbane draw: Sabalenka and Navarro spared, potential reunion between Azarenka and Ostapenko in the last 16

Like the rest of the ATP circuit, the draw for the WTA 500 Brisbane tournament has been made in the last few hours.

The tournament's two top seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro, have both inherited an affordable entry into the competition.

The world number 1 will face Tomova or Linette in her first match, while the American will take on Birrell or a qualifier.

The top 16 seeds are exempt from the first round, including Paula Badosa, Jelena Ostapenko, Marta Kostyuk, Diana Shnaider and Victoria Azarenka.

Ostapenko and Azarenka could well find themselves in the Round of 16.

The two players met in the quarter-finals of the same tournament in 2024, with the Belarusian coming out on top (6-3, 3-6, 7-5).

A month later, at the Doha tournament, the former world number 1 merely waved her racquet in greeting to the Latvian.

Should they meet in Australia, it's a duel that could well create sparks.

It should be noted that no French player has entered the main draw this year.