Brisbane International WTA 500 Doubles: Hsieh/Ostapenko vs Kichenok Sisters – How to Watch on 9Now and Stan Sport with Abigail Johnson and Liz Smylie

The Brisbane International WTA 500 tournament continues with an exciting doubles clash featuring Su-Wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko taking on the formidable partnership of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiya Kichenok.[4][5] Australian viewers can catch this compelling matchup on 9Now and Stan Sport Australia, with commentary provided by Abigail Johnson as main commentator and Liz Smylie as co-commentator.[1]

The Brisbane International, held at the Queensland Tennis Centre from 4–11 January 2026, is a pivotal warm-up tournament before the Australian Open, helping players build momentum on hard courts in preparation for the first Grand Slam of the year.[5][6] This WTA 500 event has attracted world-class talent to Queensland, with the tournament established as a key fixture on the women's professional tennis calendar since its founding in 2009.[5]

Broadcasting Information and Viewing Options

Australian audiences have multiple viewing options for this Brisbane International doubles encounter. 9Now and Stan Sport Australia will both broadcast the match, providing flexibility for tennis fans across the continent.[1] The commentary team of Abigail Johnson and Liz Smylie will guide viewers through the match, offering expert analysis and insights into the dynamics of this women's doubles clash.

Liz Smylie, the co-commentator, brings considerable credibility to tennis broadcasting in the region. A former professional tennis player from Australia, Smylie has established herself as a respected voice in tennis commentary, drawing on her playing experience to provide informed perspective on the technical aspects of the sport.[1] Her role as co-commentator complements Abigail Johnson's main commentary duties, creating a well-rounded analysis of the match unfolding on court.

The Matchup: Star Power and Playing Styles

Su-Wei Hsieh from Taiwan and Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia form an intriguing partnership, bringing diverse playing styles and considerable tour experience to their doubles campaign. Ostapenko, a former Grand Slam champion, adds significant firepower to any partnership with her aggressive baseline play and powerful groundstrokes. The Taiwanese-Latvian duo will face a stern test against Lyudmyla and Nadiya Kichenok, the Ukrainian sisters who have developed into a formidable force in women's doubles tennis.[4]

The Kichenok sisters have consistently demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest levels of professional women's doubles, and their partnership benefits from years of playing together as a sibling team. Their familiarity with each other's court positioning, serving patterns, and tactical preferences often provides them with a significant advantage in doubles competition.[5]

Tournament Context and Significance

The Brisbane International serves as the fifteenth edition of this professional tennis event, drawing elite talent from the WTA Tour.[7] The tournament's positioning in the Australian Open Series means that matches like the Hsieh/Ostapenko versus Kichenok/Kichenok encounter carry significant implications for players' confidence and ranking points heading into the Grand Slam.[5] The WTA 500 classification indicates the importance and calibre of the event, attracting top-ranked players and highly competitive partnerships across both singles and doubles draws.[1]

With a total prize money commitment of $1,206,446 for the women's tournament, the Brisbane International represents a substantial investment in professional women's tennis and provides meaningful financial incentives for competitors.[5] The hard court surface at the Queensland Tennis Centre remains consistent with the Australian Open's playing surface, making this tournament an ideal preparation venue for players aiming to peak during the year's first Grand Slam.[6]

Accessing the Broadcast

For viewers in Australia, 9Now provides streaming access to the Brisbane International, while Stan Sport Australia also offers comprehensive coverage of the tournament.[1] Both platforms will feature the professional commentary of Abigail Johnson and Liz Smylie, ensuring that audiences receive high-quality analysis throughout this doubles match.[1] The availability across multiple Australian platforms demonstrates the tournament's significance within the tennis calendar and its appeal to the Australian viewing audience.

The presence of experienced broadcasters like Liz Smylie, whose background in professional tennis provides authentic insight into the technical and tactical dimensions of competition, enhances the viewing experience substantially. The combination of knowledgeable commentary and compelling tennis ensures that this Brisbane International doubles encounter will provide entertainment value for tennis enthusiasts across Australia and beyond.