New York, Aug 22: Despite dominating recent tennis history, American title hopes look a little thin on the ground just days before the US Open kicks off.
Aided largely by the phenomenal Pete Sampras on the men's side and a host of Americans on the women's tour, the players from stateside have sucked up 34 grand slam singles titles in the last decade alone -- 11 at Flushing Meadows.
But with reigning men's champion Sampras all but retired and women's champion Serena Williams sidelined by injury, home hopes rest on relatively few shoulders this time round.
Fortunately for the US, one set of those shoulders belongs to the evergreen Andre Agassi, at 33 stronger than ever and seeded one at the tournament he has won twice before.
Last year it took an inspired Sampras to beat him in the title match and this year Agassi is back and gunning for a ninth grand slam.



Having triumphed in Australia for a fourth time earlier this year -- a record for a man born outside Australia – Agassi proved he still has what it takes on the biggest stages in the sport.



He should face little trouble as he opens his campaign next week against new father Alex Corretja in the first round.



Spaniard Corretja has been ranked as high as number two in the world but he has looked as though his mind is on other things since the birth of his first child, a daughter, in June.



Lurking at the bottom of the draw is the main European threat, stylish Swiss Roger Federer.



The man billed as the new Pete Sampras will still be flushed by his success at Wimbledon last month -- his first grand slam crown -- and eager to back it up in the United States.



Certainly he oozes ability and could well emerge champion at the end of the fortnight.



Federer also faces a claycourter, Argentine Jose Acasuso, in what should also be a relatively straightforward opening against a baseliner.


Bureau Report