Tim seeded seven as Agassi has hip scare

Tim Henman was today seeded seven for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on Monday.

Before then, the British No1 must cross swords with Roger Federer who, as expected, is top seed and favourite to retain his title at the first Grand Slam tennis championship of the year.

Henman and the world No1 meet across town tomorrow in the semifinal of the Kooyong Classic, where there was another injury scare today when Andre Agassi pulled out of his semi-final against fellow American Andy Roddick because of a hip injury.

Agassi, four-times winner of the Australian Open, has been seeded eighth this time but may now have to drop out.

The 34-year-old was trailing Roddick 6-5 in the first set when he retired. He said: "I felt it a little tight, then I felt a sharp pain.

"I didn't know if it was one of those quick feelings you get if you don't stretch right to a ball and then it goes away. But then when I sat down on the changeover and I stood up to go, I had a hard time lifting my leg to stand up."

Australian Mark Philippoussis has already withdrawn due to a groin injury and German Tommy Haas has a similar problem.

Roddick is seeded two, followed by home favourite Lleyton Hewitt.

Last year's runner-up, Russian Marat Safin is next followed by Spain's Carlos Moya and Argentine Guillermo Coria.