Australian Open 2017: UK start times, dates, prediction, TV schedule, draw, seeds, prize money and betting odds

Reigning champion: Djokovic has won the crown five out of the last six years
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Tom Dutton13 January 2017

World number one Sir Andy Murray will set out to clinch a maiden Australian Open title when the first Grand Slam of the year begins on Monday.

Novak Djokovic won the first battle of the year between the world's two leading men's singles players to win the Qatatr Open final, but Murray will bid to wrestle back the initiative in Melbourne.

The Scot has been named number one seed at a major for the first time in his career, but could face Roger Federer as early as the quarter-finals following the latters slide down the rankings.

In the women's singles, Johanna Konta heads into the tournament having clinched her second tour title at the Sydney International. She is seeded ninth, but has been tipped for glory.

Below, Standard Sport brings you everything you need to know..

In Pictures | Andy Murray

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Date, time and venue

The Australian Open will start on Monday, January 16 and run until Sunday, January 29 with the day sessions commencing at 11am local time (midnight UK time) on all courts. Evening sessions will begin between 7 and 7.30pm local time (8 and 8.30am UK time)

The Women's (Saturday 28) and Men's (Sunday 29) singles finals will begin at 7.30pm local time (8.30am UK time).

The tournament will take place at Melbroune Park in Melbourne, Victoria.

Is it on TV?

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You can watch exclusive live coverage of the Australian Open on Eurosport and Eurosport Player. Eurosport subscribers can follow the action live online by clicking on this link.

BBC Two will have a daily highlights show from the first Saturday (January 21), starting at between 3pm and 5pm UK time.

Draw

Sir Andy Murray will play Ukraine's Illya Marchenko in the first round of the Australian Open and could meet Roger Federer in the last eight.

Murray, the world number one and top seed, was drawn in the same quarter as Federer, who is seeded a lowly 17th after missing the second half of last season through injury.

The Scot is chasing a fourth grand slam title of his career and his first in Melbourne, where he has reached the final five times.

In the women's draw, Britain's Johanna Konta, seeded ninth, was handed a tricky opening tie against Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens.

Heather Watson and Naomi Broady will both face Australian opponents, with Watson playing the experienced Samantha Stosur and Broady up against Daria Gavrilova.

Britain's three other male participants see Kyle Edmund face Santiago Giraldo, Dan Evans play Facundo Bagnis while Aljaz Bedene was paired with Victor Estrella Burgos.

Order of Play

Monday's Order of Play will appear hear once it has been announced by tournament organisers.

Top seeds

Men's Singles

1. Andy Murray

2. Novak Djokovic

3. Milos Raonic

4. Stan Wawrinka

5. Kei Nishikori

6. Marin Čilić

7. Gaël Monfils

8. Dominic Thiem

9. Rafael Nadal

10. Tomáš Berdych

Women's Singles

1. Angelique Kerber

2. Serena Williams

3. Agnieszka Radwańska

4. Simona Halep

5. Karolina Plíšková

6. Dominika Cibulková

7. Garbiñe Muguruza

8. Svetlana Kuznetsova

9. Johanna Konta

10. Carla Suárez Navarro

Prize money

Prediction

Odds (Via 888Sport)

Novak Djokovic 6/4

Andy Murray 7/4

Rafael Nadal 14/1

Milos Raonic 16/1

Stan Warinka 16/1

Roger Federer 22/1

Click here to place a bet. Odds correct as of January 13 at 4pm.

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