All eyes on Novak, Serena

Novak Djokovic will look to extend his sensational run of form at the Australian Open on Monday as expectations soar about what he could achieve this year.

The Serbian world number one is yet to drop a set this year and his performance in the Qatar Open final was described as "perfect" by his flummoxed opponent, Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic could even pick up the first ever men's 'Golden Slam' if he manages to unite the four major titles and be crowned Olympic champion at Rio de Janeiro in August.

Roger Federer is also in action on day one, against Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili, with Djokovic's other main challengers Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka starting on Tuesday.

A second Australian Open title for Nadal appears a stretch after his slump in 2015, but Wawrinka, champion in 2014, should be a contender after he beat Djokovic in last year's French Open final.

Meanwhile, in the women's rounds, Serena Williams begins her quest to equal Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles battling fitness concerns and with a host of players desperate to dethrone the defending champion.

Following a dominant 2015, the world number one is gunning for a seventh Australian crown adamant that she is over the knee problems that hindered her during the latter half of the year and during her Melbourne Park build-up.

She insisted on Saturday she was "120, 130 percent right" as she prepares for a tricky first-round encounter with Italian Camila Giorgi, the highest ranked non-seeded player in the women's draw.

Her three Grand Slam titles last year in Australia and at Roland Garros and Wimbledon took her within one of Graf's long-time record of 22.

Williams is in a tough half of the draw with Russia's Sharapova, seeded five, potentially awaiting her in the quarters.

Sharapova, 28, also lacks match practice after a left forearm problem forced her out of the Brisbane International, but she too said all is now well.