Djokovic, Williams top Australia Open seeding lists

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the trophy after winning his Qatar Open men's single tennis final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain in Doha, Qatar, Jan 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MELBOURNE - Defending champions and world No 1 ranked Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams top the Australian Open seedings lists, which follow rankings ahead of the first Grand Slam tournament of 2016.

Four-time finalist Andy Murray was seeded No 2, 17-time major winner Roger Federer was No 3 and 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka was No 4, one higher than Rafael Nadal.

On the women's side, Simona Halep was No 2, Garbine Muguruza was No 3, Agieszka Radwanska was No 4 and Maria Sharapova, the 2008 champion and finalist last year, was No 5.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka moved back into the top 16 with her victory at the Brisbane International last week, her first title since 2013.

She finished last season at No 22 but moved up the rankings with her title run in the Australian Open warmup tournament and was seeded No 14 at Melbourne Park, meaning she avoids early-round encounters with the top-ranked players.

A win over 2014 U.S. Open runner-up Kei Nishikori and a run to the semifinals at the Brisbane International lifted Australia's Bernard Tomic to a No 16 seeding in the men's draw.

The Australian Open draw will take place on Friday.

Following are the seeding lists.

Men's

1. Novak Djokovic, Serbia

2. Andy Murray, Britain

3. Roger Federer, Switzerland

4. Stan Wawrinka, Switzerland

5. Rafael Nadal, Spain

6. Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic

7. Kei Nishikori, Japan

8. David Ferrer, Spain

9. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France

10. John Isner, United States