Dubai: Kiki Bertens is looking to improve her hard court form in Dubai after winning twice on clay last season.

The 26-year-old Dutch 2016 Roland Garros semi-finalist also won on the same surface in Nurnberg and Gstaad last year, but now she is looking to diversify and has been in Dubai since Wednesday — getting used to the conditions.

“I’m happy with my two titles last year but until now all are on clay and I hope this year I can win on hard court. I’ve practised really hard on that and I hope to do better this year,” she said.

Bertens’ best performance of the year so far was a third round finish in last month’s Australian Open where she lost to eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki. She’s now looking to go further in Dubai where she’s previously never got past the first round in one appearance, last year being her debut.

Chances of going one better are significantly improved after being drawn with a qualifier in round one but with a potential second round clash with defending champion Elina Svitolina, and Petra Kvitova also in her quarter of the group, it won’t be easy.

“I don’t know who I’ll get yet,” she said of her first round draw with a qualifier. “But I’ve been practising here since Wednesday and I feel good so hopefully I can play a good match.

“At home I’ve been practising indoors because it’s so cold, so I came here early to practise a little bit, I was sick two weeks ago so it’s good to practice outside again, get used to the circumstances and just be ready.

“I’m just practising now and then I’ll watch a bit of qualifying, I’ll know tomorrow who I’m playing and then we’ll make a game plan for the day after.

“It’s a tough draw after that but the first round is also tough and first you have to win that. Overall, it’s a tough draw because the whole field is really strong and all the girls’ are playing well so you have to play good here to do good.

“I am just really excited to be part of the main draw here and in the top 30 again,” said the world No. 28. “I’m really happy about that and I’m going to enjoy this week.

“I’ll just focus match by match, I normally don’t even know who I’m playing in the second round, my coach only tells me after the first match, and of course now I know because I’ve been part of the draw, but I’m just going to focus on the opening round first.”