MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka have been confirmed as the top seeds for the Australian Open starting next week.
Australian Open organizers stuck closely to the latest rankings to seed 32 players for each of the men's and women's draws.
David Ferrer took the No. 4 seeding — behind Djokovic, Roger Federer and U.S. Open champion Andy Murray — to replace fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who has withdrawn due to injury.
On the women's side, Azarenka is followed by French Open champion Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, the reigning Wimbledon, Olympic and U.S. Open champion.
Agnieszka Radwanska is seeded fourth, followed by Angelique Kerber and Li Na. American teenager Sloane Stephens got a seeding after moving up the rankings to No. 29.
