Two of the game's biggest rivals, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, could be on course to meet in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after the draw was made earlier today. The defending champion and Wimbledon champion were both named in the bottom half of the draw and if they win their first few matches, are set to meet at the quarter-final stage. In his opening match, Agassi will take on the Czech Jiri Vanek while Sampras must play Slovakia's Karol Kucera.
Also in the bottom half of the draw are US Open champion Marat Safin, who could yet withdraw from the season's first Grand Slam event with an elbow injury, and British number one Tim Henman. The runner-up in last year's tournament, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, features in the top half of the draw with top seed Gustavo Kuerten. If seedings work out, it means that Kafelnikov and Kuerten will meet at the quarter-final stage.
In the women's competition, the draw has served up a wonderful opening round clash between Lindsay Davenport and the young Australian Jelena Dokic who could cause the American a few problems. In 1999, Dokic knocked out Martina Hingis in the opening round of Wimbledon. Meanwhile, defending champion and top seed Hingis will have a tough route in her attempt to retain the title, as she must overcome both Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, to reach the final. In her first round game, she plays Hungarian Katalin Mari-Aracama. Ireland's Kelly Liggan is still on course for a place in the Australian Open after she beat French player Sophie Georges 5-7 6-3 6-1 to reach the third round of the qualifiers.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
