Switzerland's Roger Federer and Russia's Maria Sharapova top the lists of seeds at the Australian Open, with organizers sticking to thh world rankings.
Federer, the defending champion, is aiming for his 10th Grand Slam singles title and has been atop the men's rankings since February 2004.
Sharapova moved to the top of the women's seedings list at Melbourne Park after No. 1-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne of Beelgium withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons. Sharapova was seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam tournament only once before _ at the 2005 U.S. Open.
``I don't see it as putting any extra pressure on me,'' Sharapova said. ``Whatever you are seeded you've just got to go out and play your matches.''
Defending Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo was seeded second.
On the men's side, French Open champion Rafael Nadal was seeded No. 2 and is expected to recover from a groin strain that forced the Spaniard him out of a warmup tournament in Sydney this week.
Nadal, who missed the last Australian Open because of a foot injury, beat Federer in four finals last year. Federer was 90-1 against all other rivals.
Every man in the top 20 has entered the tournament, while 18 of the top 20 women are expected to be in the draw.
The draw will be held Friday.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
