Hobart TAS 7000, Australia, 29 December 2016 | hobartinternational.com.au

Australian youngsters Lizette Cabrera and Jaimee Fourlis have received main draw singles wildcards into Hobart International 2017.

Cabrera earned her wildcard after a stellar year, rising from No.1062 at the end of 2015 to her current ranking of No.216.

The 19-year-old Queenslander won two ITF titles and in November scored her first top 100 win against Japan’s Kurumi Nara, a Hobart International semifinalist in 2015.

“I’m excited to start my Australian summer in Hobart and can’t wait to begin 2017 with a great tournament,” Cabrera said.

The 17-year-old Fourlis has had a fantastic start to the summer, winning the AO Play-off to gain a wildcard into the Australian Open main draw.

In February the Victorian became the youngest Australian women’s title winner in four years with her first ITF title in Perth.

She is currently at a career-high ranking of No.422.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Hobart and making my WTA debut. I can’t wait to get on court.” Fourlis said.

Hobart International Tournament Director Mark Handley said: “We are delighted to have Lizette and Jaimee join our main draw list. Both will make their WTA main draw debuts here and we hope it will be the beginning of a very successful summer for them both.”

Cabrera and Fourlis join a strong line-up that includes defending champion Alize Cornet, and former top five stars Jelena Jankovic, Sara Errani and Lucie Safarova.

Hobart International takes place at the Domain Tennis Centre from 8-14 January 2017.

For all tournament information please visit www.hobartinternational.com.au.