Djokovic and Azarenka named top seeds for Australian Open

Date published : 07 Jan 2013 - 11:17:15

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

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.

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