Federer will be centre of attention at US Open

It wasn't that long ago that men's tennis was said to be overrun with big servers, but Roger Federer has put those fears to rest.

It wasn't that long ago that men's tennis was said to be overrun with big servers, but Roger Federer has put those fears to rest.

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The 23-year-old Swiss has used his varied game to become the most dominant player on the ATP Tour this year with eight titles.

The world No. 1 and top seed kicks off his quest for his third major of 2004 on Monday at the 17.8 million dollar US Open which runs from Monday to September 12.

"It is time for me to step up because I have played so well in the last few Grand Slams," Federer said.

"I am willing to play more aggressive, keep the rallies short. The players these days return very well."

Federer has won three of the past five Grand Slams but the US Open is the one that has given him the most trouble.

The 23-year-old reigning Australian and Wimbledon champ has failed to advance past the fourth round the last three years at Flushing Meadows.

"I feel like I've played good here but not great," Federer said. "The last couple of years I played against players who played really well.

"Max (Mirnyi) played great, (Andre) Agassi gave me a lesson one year, I didn't have a good record against (David) Nalbandian."

The same can be said for Federer's first-round opponent on Monday.

The 2002 French Open champion Albert Costa is one of the few players to have beaten Federer this year. Costa has defeated Federer the last two times they have met (2004 in Rome and 2003 in Miami).

"He has a lot of experience and on big occasions he can definitely come up with a great game. It is a tough opening round for me."

Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne and American Serena Williams lead the women's field of the final Grand Slam of the season.

With all the injuries this year, women's tour has looked more like an episode of ER. One noticeable absentee this year is Kim Clijsters, who has a sore wrist.

Henin-Hardenne is fresh off a gold medal victory at the Athens Olympics and is hoping for an equally strong showing at the USTA National Tennis Centre.

"I had a great experience in Athens," Henin-Hardenne said. "Here it is another test. A Grand Slam is another kind of pressure. It is physically and mentally really different."

Top seed Henin-Hardenne is hoping to take advantage of good memories from last year when she beat countrywoman Clijsters in the final 7-5, 6-1 to become the first Belgian woman to win a US Open.

The three-time Grand Slam winner said her Athens' performance has also helped her re-focus.

"I've never been happy like I was in Athens on the court. I hope I keep this feeling for the rest of my career," Henin-Hardenne said.

Henin-Hardenne was dominating the tour when she came down with a viral infection in the spring. She missed Wimbledon and has played just over a handful of matches since March.

"I know I lost a big part of the season this year but it doesn't matter because now I am healthy," she said.

Henin-Hardenne has drawn Czech qualifier Nicole Vaidisova in the first round. She will likely meet another qualifier in the second round as her biggest danger won't come until the quarter-finals where she could run headlong into reigning Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova.

Another of the women that has her eyes on the one million dollar first prize is Serena Williams.

Williams is seeded third here after missing last year's Open and a good portion this year with a knee injury.

But tennis' No. 1 diva and two-time US Open champion is hoping to re-emerge as the best female player in the world.

"I feel like it has been awhile since I played here, so I am just really ready to be performing," Williams said.

Williams faces Czech Sandra Kleinova in the first round on Monday night.

She made a last-minute decision regarding Athens but said she started feeling better the following day after she decided not to go.

"The knee started feeling good the very next day. But at the end of the day I had to do it. I was advised by five different doctors not to go to the Olympics."

Williams hasn't won a major in over a year. She reached the quarter-finals this year at the French Open and was humbled by Sharapova at Wimbledon.

"I kind of got a late start on this year," Williams said. "But it is not over yet. I have a lot to add to my resume this year."