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 against 106th-ranked Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck.
World number one Djokovic faces a qualifier first up and will avoid the top 10 seeds until at least the quarter-finals, where he could meet big-serving Milos Raonic, one of the highly-fancied crop of young players tipped to challenge the dominance of the ‘Big Four’.
Champion Stan Wawrinka, seeded fourth, faces a tougher route if he is to defend his crown.
The Swiss takes on 99th-ranked Marsel Ilhan, of Turkey, before a possible fourth round match-up with 16th seeded Fabio Fognini and a likely quarter-final against US Open finalist Kei Nishikori.
On the comeback trail from injury and illness, third seed Rafa Nadal has also been given few favours with a dangerous opening round tie against Mikhail Youzhny, a former top-10 player.
“Youzhny is not that easy to beat,” said 83-year-old Hall of Fame coach Nick Bollettieri at the draw ceremony at Melbourne Park.
“I’m sure a lot of people will be looking at that first round to see how healthy Nadal is.”
Following that, the 2009 champion has a possible third round against Czech bogey-man Lukas Rosol, who upset him in the second round of Wimbledon in 2012.
Second seed Roger Federer starts his Australian Open against Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, and could face 15th seed Tommy Robredo in the fourth round.
Sixth seed Andy Murray may feel the most aggrieved of the men’s contenders. After first playing a qualifier, the Scot could meet Wimbledon semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round with Federer to come in the quarters.
In the women’s draw, Williams, bidding for a sixth title at Melbourne Park, has no major danger matches until the last eight, where a potential clash against Caroline Wozniacki looms.
Second seed Maria Sharapova will play a qualifier as she aims for her second trophy after her 2008 triumph, with eighth seed Eugenie Bouchard a likely quarter-final opponent.
Simona Halep, of Romania, ranked third and a dark horse to clinch her maiden grand slam, will take on Italian Karin Knapp first up.
Twice champion Victoria Aza-renka is unseeded after her 2014 season was all but wiped by injury and shapes as a dangerous floater in the draw.
The Belarusian faces American Sloane Stephens in the first round, with the prospect of a mouthwatering showdown with Williams in the quarters.