Federer aims for the top in Wide Open chase

Wimbledon winner Roger Federer is taking aim at Andre Agassi's world number one ranking and a rare Grand Slam double when the US Open starts on Monday.

Published on: Aug 25, 2003, 10:00:00 IST

PTI | By Anonymous, New York

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Wimbledon winner Roger Federer is taking aim at Andre Agassi's world number one ranking and a rare Grand Slam double when the US Open starts here Monday.

The 22-year-old Swiss standout is seeded second in the year's final Slam tournament here on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts after capturing his first major tennis crown last month on grass at Wimbledon.

"You have always got to fix new goals after a big title," Federer said Sunday. "I have been very close to number one. I'm number two now so my next goal is number one and to win more titles."

Federer is trying to become only the sixth man to win Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back, the first since Pete Sampras in 1995, and to dethrone Agassi, at 33 the oldest man at the US Open and ever to own the top ranking.

But just winning one Slam crown after being highly touted has lifted a burden off Federer's back.

"I feel much more relaxed," Federer said. "The pressure I have felt over the past few Grand Slams hasn't been so much fun. So I am very happy to come over that stage."

"Now it's about proving more than that Wimbledon title, not about just proving I can win one. It's totally different. I feel much more relaxed inside."

With reigning US Open champion Sampras retiring Monday after not playing another match since beating Agassi in last year's final, Federer sees a host of potential replacements ready to sit upon the throne.

"I wouldn't see one guy who is the absolute favorite," Federer said. "I think there are three, four, five guys who really have the best chance.

"You have to come through the early rounds, see who is left in the quarters to see who has the best chance. So I think it's open again."

Federer is 29-8 on hardcourts this season, a mark bettered only by American Andy Roddick.

The 20-year-old phenomenon is 34-7 this year on the surface, including titles at Montreal, Cincinnati and Indianapolis in the past month with only one defeat since Wimbledon. That includes a victory over Federer.

"Just going to be more talking about him than me and that really doesn't matter to me," Federer said. "He is living under pressure right now, not me. So we will see how he does."

US Open officials ensured Sampras a starring role on his farewell night by keeping for later days such openers as Agassi against Spain's Alex Corretja, Roddick against Briton Tim Henman and Federer against Argentina's Jose Acasuso.

Women's top seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium will face American Amber Liu in the first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium following Sampras' retirement ceremony.

Then Clijsters' boyfriend, Australian eighth seed and 2001 US Open winner Lleyton Hewitt, will face Romania's Victor Hanescu.

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