2010 AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Today-Jan. 31 in Melbourne • TV: ESPN2, Tennis Channel
MEN'S PREVIEW
Top seeds
1. Roger Federer; 2. Rafael Nadal*; 3. Novak Djokovic; 4. Juan Martin del Potro; 5. Andy Murray; 6. Nikolay Davydenko; 7. Andy Roddick; 8. Robin Soderling. *-defending champion
Notes
• Nadal won his first hardcourt major last year in Melbourne.
• Federer won the Australian Open in 2004, 2006 and 2007 and lost to the eventual champion in '05, '08 and last year. He is seeking a record-extending 16th Grand Slam title.
• Del Potro, Murray and Roddick are in Nadal's half of the draw, meaning Federer can't meet any of them until the final.
• Del Potro withdrew from an exhibition tournament at Kooyong with a sore right wrist. He is the defending U.S. Open champion.
WOMEN'S PREVIEW
Top seeds
1. Serena Williams*; 2. Dinara Safina; 3. Svetlana Kuznetsova; 4. Caroline Wozniacki; 5. Elena Dementieva; 6. Venus Williams; 7. Victoria Azarenka; 8. Jelena Jankovic. *-defending champion
Notes
• Serena Williams, winner of 11 Grand Slam singles crowns, has won the Australian title each odd-numbered year since 2003.
• Former No. 1 Justine Henin is unseeded in her first Grand Slam event since coming out of retirement.
• Kim Clijsters, the reigning U.S. Open champion, is seeded 15th.
• Maria Sharapova was off the tour for 10 months while recovering from right shoulder surgery.
• Eight players in the field have held the world No. 1 ranking.
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