Melbourne: World number one and top seed Serena Williams faces a potential quarter-final with great rival Maria Sharapova at next week's Australian Open following Friday's draw.


Serena Williams. Pic/AFP 

Williams, who is chasing her seventh Australian crown and 22nd Grand Slam title after beating Sharapova in last year's final, will have a testing start against Italian Camila Giorgi, the highest ranked non-seeded player in the women's draw.