Melbourne: World number ones Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were named the top seeds yesterday for next week’s Australian Open, but two-time champion Victoria Azarenka did not make the top 32.
Djokovic is bidding for a fifth title at Melbourne Park after crashing in the quarter-finals last year to eventual champion Stan Wawrinka, while Williams is gunning for the sixth Australian crown.
Evergreen Roger Federer, who has a record 17 Grand Slam titles, is the second seed ahead of injury-plagued Rafael Nadal, Wawrinka and Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Maria Sharapova, who won the Brisbane International last weekend, takes the number two seeding among the women, ahead of Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Ana Ivanovic.
Last year’s champion Li Na has retired.
Azarenka ended 2014 ranked 32 in the world, but a first-round loss at the Brisbane International saw her drop to 41, outside the cut-off for seedings at the Melbourne Park. The Belarussian won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2012 and 2013, but battled a string of fitness and personal issues last year. AFP
