Australian No.1 Bernard Tomic has been rewarded for his surge up the ATP rankings in 2015, claiming the top seeding for January’s Sydney International.

Tomic, who won the event in 2013 as a 20-year-old, has improved his ranking to become the world No.18.

Reigning champion Viktor Troicki will defend his 2015 title as the third seed with Austria’s world No.20 Dominic Thiem the second seed.

The women’s tournament has attracted a stronger field, with five of the world’s top 10 competing in the lead up to the Australian Open.

World No.2 Simona Halep will be the top seed, with two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also returning to the tournament she won last January.

Crowd favourite Sam Stosur is also among 22 confirmed entries on Thursday.