Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty learn Australian Open women's draw
The draw for the Australian Open women's singles has been made.
Serena Williams will open her Australian Open campaign against Anastasia Potapova and is in the same quarter as Naomi Osaka, sister Venus Williams and Coco Gauff. Defending champion Osaka will open against Marie Bouzkova while fourth seed Simona Halep will play Jennifer Brady in the first round.
The biggest match of the opening round is a rematch between Venus Williams and Coco Gauff and the winner could meet Gauff in the third round.
From a British perspective, Jo Konta, who has played only one match since the US Open because of a knee injury, opens against world No 85 Ons Jabeur
Heather Watson faces world No 62 Krystina Pliskova while Katie Boulter, playing on a protected ranking after her back injury, has drawn sixth seed Elina Svitolina.
World No 1 and top seed Ashleigh Barty, who is aiming to be the first home player to win the Australian Open since 1978, will start against Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine.
And in her final event before retirement, 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki will play Kristie Ahn.
Osaka, who was at the draw ceremony, opened up about her win in Melbourne last year and Gauff.
She said: “It didn't work out at the US Open as I prepared for my defence, but I feel more prepared now.
“I watched the highlights of my final win last year. I thought it was pretty interesting.
“Coco is very special. The crowds were coming just to watch her at the US Open and I wanted to give her the opportunity to speak. I feel a little protective of her.
“It's crazy the way my life has gone, but I'm grateful to be here.”
PROJECTED AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTER-FINALS
Ashleigh Barty vs Petra Kvitova
Naomi Osaka vs Serena Williams
Belinda Bencic vs Simona Halep
Elina Svitolina vs Karolina Pliskova