World number one Novak Djokovic and his US Open conqueror Andy Murray have been put in separate halves of the men's singles draw at the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Monday.

World number one Victoria Azarenka and 15-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams were Friday pitted in the same half of the women's singles draw for next week's Australian Open.

World number one Novak Djokovic and his US Open conqueror Andy Murray have been put in separate halves of the men's singles draw at the Australian Open, starting in Melbourne on Monday.

Young Australian Bernard Tomic took a major step towards winning his first career ATP Tour title by downing defending champion Jarkko Nieminen at the Sydney International on Thursday.

Defending champion David Ferrer stormed into the semi-finals of the Auckland ATP tournament Thursday, setting up a intriguing clash with resurgent Frenchman Gael Monfils for a spot in the decider.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska will put her eight-match winning streak on the line when she faces Dominika Cibulkova in the final of the Sydney International on Friday.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska fought off former winner Li Na to reach the final of the Sydney International on the back of her eighth consecutive victory.

Lleyton Hewitt pronounced himself in near-perfect form after a 6-3, 6-2 demolition of world number six Tomas Berdych sent the Australian into the final of the Kooyong Classic.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska clinched a seventh straight victory to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International on Wednesday, as she builds towards next week's Australian Open.

Big guns John Isner and Gilles Simon tumbled out of the Sydney International on Wednesday as Jarkko Nieminen stayed on course to defend his title.

Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt tamed big-serving Milos Raonic on Wednesday, surviving 20 aces from the Canadian to post an opening 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) win at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska clinched a seventh straight victory to reach the semi-finals of the Sydney International on Wednesday, as she builds towards next week's Australian Open.

French second seed Gilles Simon withdrew from the Sydney International on Wednesday with a recurring neck problem but said he still hoped to play in next week's Australian Open.

Janko Tipsarevic has told how he found a way to thrive in the shadow of his imposing compatriot Novak Djokovic as he prepares for the Kooyong Classic, his final event before the Australian Open.

Mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils battled into the second round of the Heineken Open in Auckland on Tuesday, displaying flashes of brilliance as he came from behind to keep his injury comeback on track.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska stretched her winning streak to six matches with a straight sets victory over Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm in brutal heat at the Sydney International Tuesday.

World number four Agnieszka Radwanska said it was "too hot to play tennis" and China's Li Na said it was like a sauna as the Sydney International was hit by a searing heatwave on Tuesday.

Former champion Li Na and Zheng Jie starred on a successful day for Asian players on Monday at the Sydney International, the last major lead-in tournament to next week's Australian Open.

World number ones Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka were named the top seeds on Monday for the Australian Open starting in Melbourne next week.

Andy Murray said he had finally learned the habit of being aggressive -- and curbing his tendency to self-destruct -- after making the perfect start to his season in Brisbane.