Form guide to the Australian Open

Pete Sampras (US, men's No 1 seed) Beat Andre Agassi in last year's final and went on to win Wimbledon and US Open and lead US to victory in Davis Cup, but preparations have been disrupted by flu.

Andre Agassi (US, No 2) Showed a liking for Flinders Park on his first appearance, last year. But rest of 1995 was a disappointment and he ended it troubled by a chest muscle injury.

Thomas Muster (Aut, No 3) Won 12 tournaments (11 on clay) in 1995, an ATP record. Has a respectable record in Australia.

Boris Becker (Ger, No 4) Wimbledon runner-up and won ATP championships in Frankfurt last year, but was beaten in first round of Australian.

Two to watch: Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Jim Courier.

Monica Seles (US, women's No 1 seed) Illness and a knee injury meant last week's warm-up in Sydney was her only tournament since her comeback at US Open. Has won Australian on three occasions she has played it.

Conchita Martinez (Sp, No 2) Went into decline after surprise win at Wimbledon in 1994, but recovered to play consistently throughout 1995, reaching semi-finals of each Grand Slam.

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (Sp, No 3) A poor end to the year cost her No 2 ranking, but she has been runner-up at Australian for the last two years.

Mary Pierce (Fr, No 4) Bold hitting brought Australian title last year. Subsequent Grand Slam displays indifferent, but she could be dangerous.

Two to watch: Chanda Rubin, Iva Majoli.