Tennis: Roger Federer and Justine Henin were today named as top seeds for next week's Australian Open. Like the US and French Opens, the Australian Open organises its seedings to correlate with the world rankings.
Scotland's Andy Murray is ninth seed. The 20-year-old's seeding reflects his current world ranking, which he achieved following victory at the season-opening Qatar Open last week.
The British number one is currently finalising his preparations for the year's first grand slam at the AAMI Classic in Kooyong, Melbourne, and beat Ivan Ljubicic this morning.
Only two of the top 32 ranked men are not competing, Guillermo Canas and Tommy Haas, while the top 32 ranked women are all playing and are seeded accordingly.
Murray has an excellent chance of improving on his fourth-round showing last year, while Federer is looking for his third straight title at Melbourne Park and fourth overall.
The world number one has been laid low by a stomach bug which forced him out of the traditional lead-up event at Kooyong.
Henin, who missed last year's Australian Open before winning the French and US Opens, will try and regain the title she won back in 2004.
Defending women's champion Serena Williams is seeded seventh.
Meanwhile, hopes of Irish representation in the prestigious event were dashed this morning as Limerick's Conor Niland fell at the first hurdle in the pre-tournament qualifying.
Having taken the first set 6-4 against Lukas Dlouhy Czech Republic, Niland was pegged back in the second and despite serving for the match in the decider, was eventually overcome 4-6, 6-2, 8-6 by a player ranked 161 places higher in the world rankings.