Sania seeded 31st

India's number one women tennis player Sania Mirza has been seeded 31 in the first Grand Slam of the year -- the Australian Open -- beginning on January 14 in Melbourne.

Sania has been seeded according to her position in the WTA ranking charts.

Being seeded would help Sania avoid facing stronger opponents in the opening few rounds.

World number one Belgian Justin Henin has been given the top billing while defending champion American Serene Williams is seeded seventh.