Djokovic, Azarenka top seeds for Australian Open

SYDNEY (AFP) –

Novak Djokovic hits a return against Fernando Verdasco during a Hopman Cup match in Perth on Saturday. World number ones Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka were named the top seeds on Monday for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne next week.

World number ones Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka were named the top seeds on Monday for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne next week.

Victoria Azarenka celebrates victory over Ksenia Pervak at the Brisbane tournament last week. The Australian Open defending women’s singles champion is top seed for this year’s event ahead of last year’s losing finalist Maria Sharapova.

Djokovic, who beat Rafael Nadal in five sets in last year’s final, will be bidding for his third successive Australian Open title at Melbourne Park.

Roger Federer, who has a record 17 grand slam titles in 24 finals, is the second seed ahead of US Open champion Andy Murray and Spain’s David Ferrer.

Nadal will miss the year-opening grand slam as he is suffering from a stomach virus.

Defending women’s singles champion Azarenka is seeded ahead of last year’s finalist, Russian Maria Sharapova, five-time winner Serena Williams and Poland’s Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska.