PREVIEW | 2024 Brisbane International Day Five including NADAL's next chapter, SABALENKA, RYBAKINA AND DIMITROV in action

Day Five is here at the 2024 Brisbane International with Rafael Nadal among those in action with Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina also continuing their campaigns.

Our preview looks ahead to the action on Thursday including all the big names and talking point as the Last 16 takes place in the first warm-up tournament for the Australian Open.

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Nadal continues tennis return

After much fanfare about his opener against Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal will continue his campaign at the Brisbane International with his second singles match in his comeback. He has had a few days rest so should be prepared for his latest contest with Jason Kubler.

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Kubler himself played two sets against Aslan Karatsev who could've been a tricky opponent for Nadal, but in the decider, he was handed a walk-over by the Russian and so headed into his clash with Rafael Nadal soon after the Spaniard won through. As expected, it is a first meeting between the pair.

The other ATP clash on Thursday sees Daniel Altmaier face Grigor Dimitrov, with the latter in top form and seeing off Andy Murray in his first tie of the week. While the other clashes mainly involve WTA stars.

Sabalenka, Azarenka and Pliskova-Ostapenko on Pat Rafter Arena

On Pat Rafter Arena, it is basically all Grand Slam champions in terms of WTA stars with Victoria Azarenka set to continue her campaign with a tie against Clara Burel who had to wait a few days for her opener due to rain. Last up after Nadal will be Aryna Sabalenka who made light work of Lucia Bronzetti, but in Lin Zhu could be even easier with the World No.2 never losing a set to the Chinese ace in three meeting stretching back to 2017.

Then likely with Naomi Osaka facing Karolina Pliskova, the winner was set for main court placing and it was the latter who sealed the deal and will now face Jelena Ostapenko in a match that could be even better than last night's tie with Pliskova looking superb against Osaka.

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On the outside courts, it is two players to watch back-to-back as Elena Rybakina will face Elise Mertens and surprisingly Arina Rodionova after defeating Sofia Kenin will not return to the main court. This is a shock given she is playing 16-year-old prodigy, Mirra Andreeva who has made light work of Diana Shnaider and Liudmila Samsonova so far. The former Russian now Aussie could be the third in a row to find her way out of the tournament at the hands of the rising star and will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

There is also the all Russian tie between Veronika Kudermetova and Anastasia Potapova and Daria Kasatkina facing Magda Linette among other highlights.

Brisbane International Schedule