Robert Smeets has been awarded a wild card for January's Australian Open.

The Australian left-hander is rewarded for an impressive 2007 campaign which saw the 22-year-old climb to a career-high ranking of 149.

"Robert has had an outstanding year," tournament director Craig Tiley said. "He has massively improved his ranking, been our best performed under 23 player on the circuit and is close to direct entry into the Australian Open."

Smeets, who made the second round of this year's tournament, added: "I got to play against Tomas Berdych on Margaret Court Arena in the second round and I am really looking forward to coming back and trying to go further in 2008."

The recipients of two more wild cards will be decided over the next week with the Australian Open play-offs being staged at Melbourne Park.

The two winners of the 16-player fields will earn a wild card for the main draw.

In the men's event, former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis is hoping to win a place in his home Grand Slam event.

The biggest name in the women's draw is former world number four Jelena Dokic.