Australian Open

Murray seeded fourth in Melbourne

ESPN staff

January 9, 2014

Murray has reached the final of the Australian Open three times in the last four years © Getty Images

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Andy Murray has been seeded fourth for the Australian Open, which starts on Monday in Melbourne.

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Hutchins will ditch the suit of Queen's Club for the real action at the Australian Open © Getty Images

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The British No. 1, who on Wednesday replied "stranger things have happened" when asked if he could win the season-opening grand slam so soon after surgery, will find out who he plays in the first round when the draw is made on Friday.

As expected, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal is the top seed, followed by Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Murray and Juan Martin del Potro. Seventeen-time major champion Roger Federer is at six.

On the women's side, Serena Williams is at No. 1, followed by defending champion Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Agnieszka Radwanska and former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in sixth.

The 32 seeds were only altered twice from the rankings, both because of injuries. No. 29-ranked Jurgen Melzer is not playing due to a left shoulder injury and Maria Kirilenko, who would have been seeded 18th, has a left knee injury.

ESPN staff