Bottom quarter draws tizzy duels

In addition, Philippoussis would face an American on his rival’s home court in the second round, most likely Jan-Michael Gambill.

Aussies Jason Stoltenberg and Richard Fromberg are possible second and third-round foes for second-seeded French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil, who opens with a qualifier.

Also in the bottom quarter of the draw is eighth seed Alex Corretja, a Spaniard whose four titles this year match Kuerten for the ATP lead. He opens against top Thai Paradorn Srichaphan, whom he beat last week at Washington.

The brutal bottom also features former French Open champion Michael Chang and 1999 US Open runner-up Todd Martin, a US duo that could meet in the second round.

Also in the group of death are Britain’s Greg Rusedski and France’s Cedric Pioline, the 10th seed. They could meet in round two.

Wimbledon winner and fourth seed Pete Sampras, who won four of his 13 Grand Slam singles crowns here, opens against Czech veteran Martin Damm.

Looking at a round of 16 matchup are 11th seed Tim Henman of Britain, who has sizzled in two US tuneups, and fifth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikv of Russia.

Sweden’s Magnus Norman, seeded third, has an easier time with sixth seed Marat Safin of Russia in quarter-finals his only top-10 challenge.

Two non-US first-round matchups feature compatriots. Chile’s Marcelo Rios opens against Nicolas Massu and Moroccans Karim Alami and Younes El Aynaoui also meet at the start.

On the women’s side, Hingis’ highest-rated foe before the quarter-finals in 11th-ranked Sandrine Testud of France. If seedings prevail, Hingis would go against past world number 1 Monica Seles, seeded sixth, for a semi-final slot.

Wimbledon winner Venus Williams, seeded third, opens against Anne-Gaelle Sidot of France and could meet South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer in the round of 16 with either France’s Nathalie Tauziat or Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez awaiting after.

Fourth-seeded French Open winner Mary Pierce of France, whose father Jim became unwelcome at matches for his unwanted behaviour, gets an opening round matchup with American Alexandra Stevenson, whose father is former National Basketball Association star Julius Erving, a fact that caused a stir around her in 1999 at Wimbledon.

Second seed Lindsay Davenport of the United States could have a quarter-final date with Serena Williams, with improving and alluring 12th seed Anna Kournikova of Russia possibly awaiting the Australian Open winner in the round of 16.