American Andy Roddick and Russian Marat Safin will meet in a heavyweight third-round clash at the Australian Open.

It is an enticing meeting so early in the draw, given both are former world No.1s who have won grand slam tournaments.

Safin, who missed the Australian Open through injury last year, won the event in 2005, beating world No.1 Roger Federer in the semi-final and Australia's top player Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

Roddick is a former US Open winner and the No.6 seed for this event, while Safin is the No.26 seed.

They have a 3-3 head-to-head record, with their only previous meeting at the Australian Open a five-set win to Safin in a 2004 quarter-final.

In another feature third-round match, French young guns Gael Monfils and 18th seed Richard Gasquet meet on Vodafone Arena.

Monfils grabbed attention with an impressive second-round victory over 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis on Wednesday night.

Australian veteran Wayne Arthurs will attempt to continue his good run through his final Australian Open, when he takes on American Mardy Fish.

Arthurs will be the only Australian playing singles.

Two-time former Australian Open winner Serena Williams will play the opening match on Rod Laver Arena, against fifth-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova.

Federer, the reigning men's champion, will take to the court for a third-round match against Russian 25th seed Mikhail Youzhny and women's defending champion, Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, will play Czech Eva Birnerova.

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