Novak Djokovic's chances of winning a fifth Australian Open title have been boosted by a kind draw in the opening week, while women's top seed Serena Williams kicks off her campaign here against 106th-ranked Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck.
World No. 1 Djokovic faces a qualifier first up and will avoid the top 10 seeds until at least the quarterfinals, where he could meet big-serving Milos Raonic, one of the highly touted crop of young players tipped to challenge the dominance of the Big Four.
Reigning champion Stan Wawrinka, seeded fourth, faces a tougher route if he is to defend his first Grand Slam crown.