Venus rises in Australian seedings
SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) -- Venus Williams will be given a preferential seeding at this year's Australian Open after the withdrawal of her sister Serena, tournament officials said.
Venus, ranked 11th in the world, will be promoted to third seed ahead of former champions Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport on WTA advice.
The Australian Open has traditionally chosen its seeds according to their world rankings but tournament director Paul McNamee said they were making an exception for Venus.
"Venus will be seeded three behind Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters under a special seeding which the WTA had recommended for the next group of tournaments," McNamee said.
A former world number one, Venus has not played a competitive match since losing to Serena in last year's Wimbledon final in July but made her comeback in an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong this week.
Davenport could have expected to have been elevated from fifth seed to fourth if organisers had not protected Venus.
On Saturday Davenport said: "It was something that was decided by our tour about eight weeks ago... it is something they like to do.
"In the past I have benefited from it. It unfortunate that I am the one affected but that's how it goes."
The event starts in Melbourne on January 19, and McNamee added: "Whilst it's obviously disappointing to hear that Serena hasn't recovered in time to defend her title, it's great to see that Venus is back playing competitive tennis after her own long-term injury.
"I'm sure the crowds will be looking forward to welcoming her back to Melbourne Park after her six month absence from the Tour and her seeding reflects that she's obviously back and playing great tennis."
Venus has failed to win a grand slam title since her victory in the 2001 U.S. Open and has lost five finals to Serena following that win, including last year's Australian Open.
That was her best performance in five appearances at Melbourne Park but her chances of going one better this year look good.
Four-times champion Monica Seles has not entered the event and both Capriati and Clijsters are doubts because of injuries.
Serena, who would have been third seed, announced on Friday she would not be playing because of fitness worries.
