BRISBANE — Serena Williams has confirmed she will play in the Brisbane International tuneup event before next year's Australian Open. Brisbane tournament officials said Wednesday that Serena, the defending champion, and Australian Lleyton Hewitt would join previously announced Roger Federer at the hard-court tournament at the Queensland Tennis Center from Dec. 29-Jan. 5. The Australian Open, which Serena has won five times, begins Jan. 13 at Melbourne Park. Serena, the world No. 1, will be attempting to win her 18th Grand Slam singles title. Serena has won nine WTA titles this year, including her fifth US Open title and second at the French Open. — AP