Jankovic will open against Austrian foe

MELBOURNE, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Serbian Jelena Jankovic, the No. 1 seed, will go against Austria's Yvonne Meusburger in the first round of the Australian Open, which begins Monday.

The draw, released Thursday, reveals that American sisters Serena and Venus Williams, who have a combined 16 Grand Slam titles, could clash in the semifinals.

Serena Williams, a three-time Australian Open winner is seeded No. 2. She'll take on China's Yuan Meng in the first round.

Venus Williams, seeded sixth, plays Germany's Angelique Kerber.

Third-seeded seed Dinara Safina meets countrywoman Alla Kidryavseva and No. 4 Elena Dementieva of Russia faces Kristina Barrois of Germany.

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, the No. 5 seed and runner-up in last year's open, will play Germany's Julia Goerges in the first round.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova, recovering from a shoulder injury, is not playing in the open this year.