World No.1 Victoria Azarenka will headline the strongest ever field at the Brisbane International in 2013, with eight of the world's top 10 confirmed for the event.
The star-studded draw includes Belarusian number one Azarenka, Maria Sharapova (No.2), Serena Williams (No.3), Angelique Kerber (No.5), Sara Errani (No.6), Petra Kvitova (No.8) Australian Samantha Stosur (No.9) and former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki (No.10).
Azarenka, who won six WTA titles in 2012, said she was looking forward to returning to Brisbane where she won the inaugural title in 2009.
"I am really looking forward to returning to Brisbane. The city is beautiful, the venue is first class and I thoroughly enjoyed playing there in 2009 when I won the inaugural title," Azarenka said.
"I am very proud to have ended the year as world number one and I am excited to start my 2013 campaign in Brisbane.
"I know I will get some tough matches against the world's best there, which is perfect preparation leading into the Australian Open where I aim to defend my 2012 title."
Azarenka won her maiden grand slam at the Australian Open in January and went down to Williams in the final of the US Open at Indian Wells in September.
Tournament director Cameron Pearson was understandably delighted at the unprecedented level of quality in the field.
"The women's field is spectacular. It's the strongest ever seen in Queensland with eight of the top 10 women set to start their 2013 season in Brisbane," Pearson said.
"We have the current world No.1, three former world No.1 players plus five grand slam winners, and between them they have won 22 major titles.
"In a battle between the top three, Victoria and Maria will be especially motivated to turn the tables on Serena, who dominated their matches in 2012, and this should make for some electrifying tennis.
"The strength of this field really says a lot about the calibre of the tournament. It will be intriguing to see how the women's draw unfolds."