Tsvetana Pironkova started the new season with a dramatic success over the Romanian Monika Nikulesku. Sesil Karatantcheva also got through the decisive qualifications round of the Brisbane tournament.

The first racket of Bulgaria defeated Nikulesku in a three-set thriller that lasted three hours and seven minutes. The first set finished with a tiebreak, which Nikulesku won with 7-2. Pironkova, however, found the strength to turn the tides and took the next two sets with 6-4, 6-4.

In the second round, Tsvetana will face either Sara Erani from Italy or the в„–4 in the rankings Daniela Hantuhova from Slovakia.