11 Players from the 2012 Australian Open fields will contest this years Mcdonald's Burnie International. Click here to see the Mens and Women's McDonalds Burnie International Entry lists.
From the Australian Open men's singles field, the following male players have been accepted into the main draw and will compete in Burnie:- ISTOMIN, Denis (UZB): From Uzbekistan and ranked 67th in the world, Dennis will be the No.1 seed at the McDonald's Burnie International for 2012. Dennis has is coached by his mother and has had to overcome the hurdle of recovering from a car crash in which his leg was badly injured and had to spend 2 years of the tennis court to rehabilitate. This is Dennis's first appearance in Burnie and I am sure he will be keen to impress.
- LU, Yen-Hsun (TPE): From Chinese Taipei, has had many setbacks in his career. Suffering injuries and losing his father suddenly when he was 17, Lu has had to draw inspiration from a shared dream with his father and the need to support his family. Currently ranked 78 in the world and with a career high ranking of 33 in the world, LU is sure to be a major threat at this years tournament. Yen has made it through his first round match at the Australian Open, defeating world 128, Rik De Voest in 5 tough sets.
- JONES, Greg (AUS): Ranked 198 in the world and is Australia's 4th highest ranked player. Received a wild card into AO main draw and looked in control against the 13 seed and quarter finalist in 2011,Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round. Unfortunately after being 2 sets to love up, Greg eventually lost in 5 sets. Greg has been a seasoned performer at the Burnie International and was a finalist in 2010 where he lost to Bernard Tomic. Greg has a history of playing some of his best tennis in Burnie and will be keen to finally add the title to his resume.
- ITO, Tatsuma (JPN): Is currently ranked 117 in the world at only 23 years of age. He is playing in his first Australian Open this year having received a wild card in to the main draw, and is currently into the second round after defeating world number 62, Potito Starace of Italy. Tatsuma first started playing at Burnie in 2009 and last year made the semi finals before losing to the eventual champion. Tatsuma will be hoping to go one better this year.
- UDOMCHOKE, Danai (THA): Hails from Bangkok in Thailand and is currently ranked 201 in the world. Qualified for the AO main draw and had a torrid first round against world No.14, Giles Simon of France before eventually losing in 5 sets. This will be Danai's second year coming to Burnie and rates his forehand as his best stroke and favourite surface as hardcourts.
- MATOSEVIC, Marinko (AUS): The fifth highest ranked Australian in the world at 203, Marinko received a wild card into the AO main draw and lost in 3 tight sets to the 15 ranked player in the world, Gael Monfils. Marinko has been a long time supporter of the Burnie International and hasn't missed a tournament for a number of years.
- MITCHELL, Benjamin (AUS): A wild card recipient into the main draw of the AO, Benjamin had a tough assignment in the first round against giant American, John Isner. Benjamin eventually lost in 3 tight sets. Banjamin made the quarter finals of last years Burnie International before losing in 3 sets to Bernard Tomic. Benjamin lists watching movies as a favourite hobby, and older brother Luke is a star of popular TV show Home and Away playing Romeo Smith.
- DUCKWORTH, James (AUS): Received a wild card into the AO main draw and has comprehensively won through to the second round, beating Jurgen Zopp from Estonia in straight sets. His next opponent will be the tournament 9th seed, Janko Tipsarevic. James is currently ranked 250 in the world and is 19 years of age. A member of the AIS, James is keen to represent Australia in the Davis Cup one day.
Other notable inclusions in the field include: Chris Guccione (AUS), winner of the tournament in 2005.
From the Australian Open women's singles field, the following female players have been accepted into the main draw and will compete in Burnie:
- SEMA, Erika (JPN): Erika is 23 years old and has been the ranked as high as 114 in the world. She is currently ranked 167 and will be seeded highly at this years tournament.
- ROGOWSKA, Olivia (AUS): Received a wild card into the main draw of the AO and had a comfortable first round win defeating world 75th ranked Sofia Arvidsson in straight sets. Olivia will be keen to carry her good form into this years Burnie International tournament where she will likely be the No.1 seed. Olivia is currently ranked 168 in the world
- HOLLAND, Isabella (AUS): Received a wild card into the AO main draw and lost in straight sets to Shahar Peer. Isabella is currently ranked 181 in the world.
- BOBUSIC, Bojana (AUS): Received a wild card into the AO main draw and played Angelique Kerber of Germany, losing in straight sets. Bojana is currently ranked 242 in the world.
- BOUCHARD, Eugenie (CAN): Last years winner of the McDonald's Burnie International, Eugenie is still making the transition from juniors to tour level. Has drastically increased her ranking over the last couple of years and wil lbe keen to do well again this year.