Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams get top billing for Australian Open 2014

Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal have received top billing for the Australian Open men’s and women’s draw respectively

Rafael Nadal & Serena Williams have been annouced as the top seeds in the Men’s & Women’s singles draw respectively.

The seedings for the Australian Open follows the world rankings which means that Novak Djokovic will be seeded No.2 followed by Spain’s David Ferrer and Britain’s Andy Murray.

Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, a dark horse to win the tournament, is seeded fifth. 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will be seeded sixth for the tournament and could face any of Nadal, Djokovic or Murray in a potential blockbuster quarterfinal. Czech Tomas Berdych is seeded seventh while Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka rounds off the top eight.

The women’s draw has reigning champion Victoria Azarenka seeded No.2 behind Serena Williams. Maria Sharapova, the 2008 champion, will be seeded third.

China’s Li Na, is the fourth seed ahead of Polish sensation Agnieszka Radwanksa. 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is seeded sixth while Sara Errani & Jelena Jankovic complete the top eight.

The official draw for the 2014 Australian Open will take place on 10 January 2014 at 10:30 local time (05:00 IST). Defending singles champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka are both expected to be in attendance for the draw ceremony.