Australian Open Draw 2014: Andy Murray Faces Japan's Go Soeda But Handed Tough Draw

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will launch his Australian Open campaign against Japan's Go Soeda but faces a tough route to the final in Melbourne.

Murray faces the world number 112 for the first time in the opening round of the first major of 2014 as the Scot continues his recovery from back surgery.

British number one Laura Robson will take on Belgian 18<sup>th seed and last year's Wimbledon semi-finalist Kirsten Flipkens in the first round while Heather Watson awaits her round one opponent as she enters the final round of qualifying.

Murray eased back into competition after missing the end of 2013 with two exhibition matches in Abu Dhabi before losing to Florian Mayer in the Qatar Open second round.

But the Brit faces a tough task to reach his fifth final in six years in Australia, with Feliciano Lopez, John Isner, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal the likely obsticals.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic begins his campaign against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia while Nadal takes on home-favourite Bernard Tomic in the pick of the first round matches.

Federer meanwhile will meet Australian wildcard James Duckworth.

In the women's draw, world No. 1 Serena Williams faces 17-year-old Australian wildcard Ashleigh Barty who will be looking to cause an upset in front of the on looking home crowd.

Two-time defending champion and second seed Victoria Azarenka opens against Sweden's Johanna Larsson while third seed Maria Sharapova will play Bethane Mattek-Sands of the USA.