Federer, Safina named top seeds for US Open - August 27, 2009

Five-times defending champion Roger Federer and Russian Dinara Safina will be the top seeds at the US Open when it begins next Monday, the US Tennis Association said.

Tournament organisers followed the ATP and WTA rankings to determine the men's and women's singles seeds.

The draw for the two-week event will be announced today.

Federer, winner of the 2009 French Open and Wimbledon titles, is the top seed at the US Open for the fifth time.

The Swiss is seeded ahead of number two Andy Murray, Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal at number three, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick.

The 28-year-old Federer, who has won four titles this year, became the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam following his triumph at Roland Garros in June.

Safina is followed by number two seed and defending champion Serena Williams, her sister Venus Williams at number three, 2008 Beijing Olympics singles gold medallist Elena Dementieva and 2008 US Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic.

The 23-year-old Safina has won three titles this year, including her back-to-back victories at Rome and Madrid. But the Russian is 0-3 in grand slam finals.

Former US Open champion Maria Sharapova, who took 10 months off following major shoulder surgery, is seeded 29th.