13 Jan 2014

Australian Open to get underway

6:25 am on 13 January 2014

The Australian Open gets underway today with the title favourites, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, both in action.

Djokovic opens his campaign for a fifth Australian Open title against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko in the first evening match on Rod Laver Arena before Williams, seeking her sixth, tackles the local hope, Ash Barty, in her first round tie.

The second seed Djokovic, aiming for a fourth straight title, is the only member of the "Big Four" in the bottom half of the draw with top seed Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all in the top half.

The former French Open champion, Li Na, also opens her campaign today against the qualifier, Ana Konjuh, on Hisense Arena, while Spain's David Ferrer, seeded third in the men's draw, takes on the Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez.