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Fifth 'Grand Slam' Heavyweights descend on Miami for Nasdaq-100 OpenPosted: Monday March 17, 2003 5:37 PMUpdated: Monday March 17, 2003 5:49 PM
MIAMI (Reuters) -- The world's leading players descend on Miami this week against a backdrop of political infighting for an event billed as the "fifth Grand Slam." In a who's who of world tennis, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi spearhead the men's field in the Nasdaq-100 Open, while the Williams sisters Serena and Venus top the women's draw. Off court, Wayne Ferreira and his breakaway tennis players' association are sure to dominate the headlines when they hold their first meeting at the tournament. The South African says the meeting, pencilled in for Tuesday, will see an executive committee elected and allow players to meet legal experts helping to launch the International Men's Tennis Association (IMTA). Hewitt -- the world No. 1 who has been locked in a feud with men's tennis organizers for months -- is the IMTA's highest-profile supporter, but he will have to concentrate on his tennis in a field as rich as this. With US$3.25 million in the men's field and $2.96 million in the women's the tournament has attracted the cream of the sport. Hewitt is seeded to meet Agassi in the final in what would be a true heavyweight clash. Agassi has been in the form of his life in the opening two months of the year, winning the Australian Open and the following event in San Jose. He is also mounting a serious challenge to Hewitt's top ranking -- the Australian had to reach the semi-finals in Indian Wells last week to prevent 33-year-old Agassi becoming the oldest world No. 1 since rankings began. In fact, Hewitt won the tournament, blasting former world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten 6-1 6-1 in the final and is a strong favourite coming into Miami. Spaniards Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya are seeded third and fourth. Serena Williams will not be able to blame tiredness if she fails to claim her third title of the year -- rustiness would be more apt. The American world No. 1 has played just 11 matches this year -- though she did win all of them to lift the Australian Open and in Paris. With Venus seeded second, Belgian pair Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin, the third and fourth seeds, are the greatest threat to the family dominance. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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