Andre Agassi and Martina Hingis, world number ones in men's and women's singles, were named on January 12 top seeds for the Australian Open starting January 17 in Melbourne.

Agassi is seeded ahead of Russia's defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov and former world No. 1 Pete Sampras.

Hingis, defending champion and three-time winner in a row, was seeded above American world No. 2 Lindsay Davenport. Serena Williams was named as third seed.

The men's fourth to 10th seeds, in order, are: Nicolas Kiefer of Germany, Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, Sweden's Thomas Enqvist, Nicolas Lapentti of Equador, American Todd Martin, Richard Krajicek of the Netherlands and Tommy Haas of Germany.

Australia's Pat Rafter, Marcelo Rios of Chile and Britain's Greg Rusedski have all withdrawn due to injuries.

French players dominate the women's fourth to 10th seedings with Mary Pierce at No. 4, Nathalie Tauziet at No. 5, Amelie Mauresmo at No. 7 and Julie Halard-Decug is at No. 9.

Austrian Barbara Schett is seeded No. 6, South Africa's Amanda Coetzer is No. 8 and Conchita Martinez of Spain is seeded 10th.

US players Monica Seles and Venus Williams both withdrew this week from the season-opening Grand Slam event. (Xinhua)