Former world No.5 Eugenie Bouchard continues her comeback to competitive tennis on Monday when she contests round one of the Hobart International.

The popular Canadian, who only returned to the WTA tour last week after an injury-enforced four-month absence, meets American veteran Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

“I’ve played her a couple of times and I’ve lost every time, so I’m looking forward to hopefully doing better than that,” Bouchard told reporters.

“She can play big game: big serves, big forehands.”

Using the Hobart tournament as preparation for the Australian Open, the 21-year-old says she has “zero expectations” during her time Down Under and just wants to enjoy her tennis and focus on her health.

Bouchard suffered concussion when she slipped and fell in a therapy room during September’s US Open and was forced to withdraw from subsequent events.

After reaching the quarter-finals of China’s Shenzhen Open last week, Bouchard said she’s feeling good.

Monday’s action will also see defending Hobart International champion Heather Watson take on Brazil’s Teliana Pereira, and world No.38 Dominika Cibulkova meets Johanna Konta.

Australians Jarmila Wolfe and Kimberly Birrell both start their singles campaigns, while fourth-seed Romanian Monica Niculescu and American Madison Brengle will also be on court.