Agassi gets top seed at U.S. Open

NEW YORK -- Top-ranked Andre Agassi and leading contender Andy Roddick could meet in the U.S. Open final after being drawn into opposite sides of the field Wednesday.

The No. 4-seeded Roddick, though, will face a tough first-round match against Tim Henman, the only player who beat the American during the U.S. hard-court season.

With three titles in the past month, Roddick heads the list of men's favorites at the year's last Grand Slam tournament, which starts Monday.

Agassi, at 33 the oldest No. 1 in ATP Tour computer ranking history, won the Open in 1994 and 1999, and he lost last year's final to Pete Sampras.

With Sampras all but officially retired, and Serena Williams sidelined by left knee surgery, it's the first time since 1971 that neither defending champion is participating.

Roddick, beaten by Sampras in last year's Open quarterfinals, is 20-1 on the summer hard-court circuit, winning titles at Indianapolis, Montreal and Cincinnati. The lone loss was against Henman in the semifinals at Washington, D.C.

The most intriguing potential women's quarterfinal pits Williams' older sister, 2000-01 champion Venus, against three-time major winner Jennifer Capriati.