Johanna Konta to face Venus Williams at Australian Open

British number one Johanna Konta has been handed a showdown with seven-time Major champion Venus Williams in the first round of the Australian Open.

Heather Watson has also been given a significant test in the form of world number 59 Timea Babos, but the Guernsey hitter has won two of their previous three matches.

World number one Serena Williams will begin the defence of her title with a potential banana skin against world number 35 Camila Giorgi, but the American has won their two past meetings, both on clay.

Second seed Simona Halep will face a qualifier, while two-time winner Victoria Azarenka will go up against Alison van Uytvanck.