Surging Barty climbs to top 16 contention

ASHLEIGH Barty is in line for a precious Australian Open top-16 seeding following the withdrawal of world No. 12 Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Russia’s two-time grand slam champion is out after undergoing wrist surgery, with China’s Saisai Zheng the only other top-100 player not contesting the year’s first major at Melbourne Park.

Kuznetsova’s scratching leaves Barty as the 16th-highest ranked player in the women’s 128-strong draw, ensuring the big home hope will avoid a top-eight rival until at least the fourth round.

She will be among three Australian seeds when the event starts on January 15.

World No. 25 Daria Gavrilova will again be seeded as she strives to reach the second week for the third year in a row. Nick Kyrgios is now ranked 21 but could improve his seeding with a strong showing at the Brisbane International starting on December 31.

Every top 100 player in the men’s rankings has entered, with six-time champion Novak Djokovic, five-time runner-up Andy Murray and 2014 winner Stan Wawrinka among a host of big names making their returns from injury.

Rafael Nadal and new women’s world No. 1 Simona Halep will be the top seeds as 36-year-olds Roger Federer and Serena Williams attempt to defend their crowns.

Queenslander John Millman is expected to use an injury-protected ranking to gain entry to the men’s main draw alongside Kyrgios and fellow Australians Jordan Thompson and wildcard Thanasi Kokkin- akis. At least one more local will join them following next week’s wildcard playoff, while Tennis Australia will also consider handing troubled star Bernard Tomic a discretionary start. Former US Open champion Samantha Stosur, Australian Pro Tour winner Olivia Rogowksa and the wildcard playoff winner will join Barty and Gavrilova in the women’s event.