By Ross
Stapleton

As the last
tennis major of the year rolls around in New York, which can soon expect
disruption from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, our title hopes
rest entirely on the diminutive frame of 24-year-old Lleyton
Hewitt.

But yet again,
like at Wimbledon, he’s drawn to meet defending champ Roger Federer in a
semi-final, if he’s to win his way into a second straight US Open final, let
alone repeat his 2001 Flushing Meadows victory.

Overnight
Wayne Arthurs departed the opening round in straight sets, with only Nicole
Pratt so far through to the second round, while Samantha Stosur playing later
today will also hope to progress. Maybe Stosur can live up to fraction of the hype she receives from
boosters with a sustained run here – but don’t bet on it. At the moment, the future of Australian tennis looks like a veritable
wasteland.

Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve overlooked wildcard playboy Mark Philippoussis,
who like Hewitt has to wait until tomorrow our time to play his opening
round match as US television demands the first round is staggered over
three days to stockpile major seeding clashes like Hewitt (3).
Ridiculous. It’s made even sillier now knowing that significant rains
are likely, so wait for this tournament to become a concertinaed
fixture pile-up from rain delays.

Hewitt, as
always, fancies he’s ready for the fray, complete with his new sponsor’s kit that
includes silver shoes. And given his US
Open record is his best of any major, if someone can somehow derail Federer for
him, he’s as good a chance to win as anyone else if he’s able to
get to the final.

As for the one-time Melbourne used-car dealer whose career has become a
slight soap opera of narcissistically squandered talent, New York could
be the malfunctioning “Scud’s” kinda town if he’s remotely able to do
something to halt his gargantuan career slide. But neither Hewitt up
against Spaniard Albert Costa, or Philippoussis as failed 1998
all-Australian finalist (Pat Rafter), taking on Slovakian Karol Kucera,
has been handed an opening “gimme.”

Hewitt has
also forged an off-court media notoriety for his fiery relationship with the ATP
Tour organisation, having sued the body, as well as
now departing CEO Mark Miles. So Sports
Illustrated – as it explains in this spoof on its website – just happened
to “chance upon a copy of Hewitt’s opening remarks” in the back of a courtesy
car, to be delivered at an ATP organised roast overnight in honour of the
outgoing Miles.

It includes
these “observations” from the little Aussie battler!

Hope
everyone is having a good time and enjoying some of the cocktails the ATP
trainers have whipped up. I understand they’re all the rage in Buenos Aires.
You’ll feel the effects deep in the fifth, if you get my drift.

A
legacy is a funny thing. It can take years to crystallize. Look at how Americans
perceive the Carter administration. And who ever thought that Connors would be
recalled so fondly? That gives me some hope.

Hi ho
silver!

Note: For
hapless Aussie Crikey readers with a preening Pom cricket fan in their office –
you might like to note that 12th seed “Tiger” Tim Henman crashed out
overnight in his opening round clash in straight sets, while flag of convenience Brit Greg Rusedski also
bit the bullet!

You can access
the official US Open site for all the latest news.