World No.2 Victoria Azarenka to play Brisbane International Sam Stosur has been beaten in the Kremlin Cup Final by Romania's Simona Halep. Victoria Azarenka in action during the 2013 Brisbane International. THE Brisbane International has a lock on the top three women in tennis, with confirmation that dual Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka will play at Tennyson this summer. Serena Williams will be joined in the field by world No.2 Azarenka and Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki. World No.3 Maria Sharapova's anticipated entry is still not being trumpeted by officials for the December 29-January 5 tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre. The Courier-Mail revealed on October 17 that Sharapova had told an online forum that she intended to play her first WTA tournament back from a shoulder injury in Brisbane. Azarenka and Williams would be seeded to put on a re-match of the most recent Grand Slam final, in which the American prevailed in their US Open showdown. It will be the third time Azarenka has played Brisbane, having won the inaugural title in 2009 and weathering some restrained spectator displeasure last January when she forfeited her semi-final against Williams due to pain from a pedicure. "It did not end the way I would have liked in 2013, and I was as disappointed as the fans with this, but I hope to make it up to them this coming January," Azarenka said in a statement. I always enjoy spending time in Queensland and I really love playing on Pat Rafter Arena. I won my first WTA title there in 2009 so I have some fond memories of the place and I'd love to win the tournament again. Lisicki, a power hitter ranked No.15, looked like a future major winner at Wimbledon, where she beat Williams before losing to Marion Bartoli in a maiden Grand Slam final in which the German appeared a bundle of nerves. Eight of the top 10 women entered the 2013 Brisbane International, although Sharapova withdrew from the event after practising at Tennyson, citing a collarbone injury. Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson said last month that despite the women's prizemoney increase for Brisbane which lured so many of the top women to start their season here, such a representation was not certain every year. "Brisbane always has a strong field and it will provide me with some tough matches against the world's best at the start of the year," Azarenka said. Sharapova last played a tournament in August and she was limited to only nine tournaments for the year. Discussions are continuing with her representatives. The Russian's plans to play in Brisbane would be encouraged further if boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov, the men's runner-up at the event last January, decides to return. Pearson said Azarenka and Lisicki were exciting players who have made a big impact on the world stage this year. "Our women's field will again headline the world's best and fans can look forward to some spectacular tennis in Brisbane," Pearson said.