August 28, 2006	Monday	Sha'aban 3, 1427

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NEW YORK, Aug 27: World No 1 Roger Federer and chief rival Rafael Nadal will be aiming to write a new chapter in the hottest rivalry in tennis when the US Open begins on Monday.

While the pair will be the overwhelming favourites to contest a third successive Grand Slam men’s singles final, Andre Agassi will be busy penning the last entry in his tennis memoirs as he contests his 21st successive US Open, a record in the professional era.

Federer and Nadal, who between them have won the last six Grand Slam crowns, are seeded to meet in a final that would extend their scintillating rivalry to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows after riveting jousts on Roland Garros clay and the grass of Wimbledon.

Top seed Federer, 25, seeks his third consecutive US Open title and ninth major victory of his career.

Nadal, 20, winner of the last two French Opens, has been the only player capable of standing up to the Swiss maestro, winning six of eight career meetings, including two of three on hard courts.

The early focus of attention, however, falls on Las Vegas showman Agassi, who will retire after his last match at the Open.

Twice former champion and eight-time Grand Slam winner Agassi made an improbable run to the final last year, winning three five-set matches in a row before falling to Federer.

Unseeded Agassi, who has played infrequently this year due to a bad back, faces fellow 30-something Andrei Pavel in his opening match, with a daunting obstacle looming next in eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, this year's Australian Open finalist and Wimbledon semi-finalist.

His difficult quarter of the draw could also bring a fourth-round clash with 2003 champion Andy Roddick.

Another inspiring charge would fill the hearts of Agassi's legion of supporters. More likely, the men's draw will narrow down to prospects of another Federer-Nadal collision.

Not since the days of John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, and Agassi's showdowns with Pete Sampras, has the game had such a magnetic duel.

Despite the electricity at Agassi's matches, the lights could go out early for him, leaving fellow American Roddick as a potential challenger in the bottom half of the draw.

Another seed with title aspirations is No 3 Ivan Ljubicic, who is in Nadal's half of the draw.

Federer's projected path includes a probable quarter-final with fifth-seeded American James Blake. Fourth seed David Nalbandian of Argentina is a possible opponent in the semis, with 17th seed Murray also in the mix.

After overcoming her crippling battle with big-match nerves, Amelie Mauresmo is convinced her inactivity heading into the US Open will not pose a problem.

The world's top-ranked woman player heads into the final Grand Slam of the year having played just one tournament since her stirring victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne in last month's Wimbledon final.

Mauresmo has apparently overcome her nagging groin and shoulder injuries. The 27-year-old Frenchwoman will have a difficult path at Flushing Meadows if she is going to win her third major of the year.

She could play Montreal Cup winner Ana Ivanovic or Serena Williams in the fourth round and then have to face, in succession, Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and Henin-Hardenne to win the title.

But unlike in previous years, if Mauresmo loses, it will because she succumbed on the court, not in her head.

With 2005 champion Kim Clijsters sidelined with a wrist injury, Henin-Hardenne is the second seed and has an easier path to the final than Mauresmo.

To reach the final, Henin-Hardenne will probably have to get past seventh seed Patty Schnyder before facing Elena Dementieva, 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova or 30th seed Venus Williams, a twice former Open winner.

If the seeding follows form, Mauresmo will face Sharapova in one semi-final, while Henin-Hardenne will battle Dementieva in the other.—Reuters