Hewitt, Capriati named top seeds in Melbourne

Lleyton Hewitt and Jennifer Capriati were named Australian Open top seeds on Wednesday ahead of next week's first grand slam of the season.

World number one Hewitt is the first Australian to be seeded one at his home grand slam since Ken Rosewall in 1976.

Hewitt sealed his number one ranking at the Tennis Masters Cup in Sydney when he won the tournament and became the youngest year-end number one and first Australian to end the season in top spot since the ATP Rankings began in 1973.

Defending champion Andre Agassi, seeded third this time, is aiming for his third consecutive men's singles title with 1999 champion and 2000 runner-up, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, seeded at four.

Ahead of them is the current French Open champion and last year's Australian Open top seed, Gustavo Kuerten, with twice champion, Pete Sampras at nine.

France is again well represented through Masters Cup finalist Sebastian Grosjean at six, 2001 Australian Open finalist, Arnaud Clement at 16, Davis Cup Final doubles hero Fabrice Santoro 21st and Nicolas Escude at 31.

Spain also have a strong presence with Juan Carlos Ferrero at five, Alex Corretja seeded 15, 1997 Australian Open finalist Carlos Moya at 18 and Albert Portas 19.

In the women's draw, defending champion and world number two Capriati becomes the top seed, following the withdrawal of current world number one Lindsay Davenport through injury.

U.S. Open and Wimbledon Champion, Venus Williams, is second seed with three-times Australian Open Champion Martina Hingis third seed.

Kim Clijsters is seeded four ahead of Serena Williams at five and fellow Belgian Justine Henin seeded sixth.

Four time women's singles winner Monica Seles is seeded eight with Hopman Cup giant killer, Francesca Schiavone the last seed at 32.

It is the first time 32 seeds have been used in the tournament's history.

The Australian Open draw will take place at Melbourne Park on Friday.