Interesting draw. Tough one for defending champion Lleyton Hewitt, although it's a bit easier with Greg Rusedski no longer in his section of the draw. A rematch of last year's controversial five-set win over James Blake looms for the defending champ.

	McEnroe's Take
	McEnroe Former ATP Tour pro Patrick McEnroe is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis during the U.S. Open. McEnroe, a tennis analyst for ESPN, is the U.S. Davis Cup team captain.

So the first week will be a real test for Hewitt. If he gets through the first week, he'll be back in the final four, at least, because the draw opens up for him after the first three rounds.

Andre Agassi, another one of my favorites, seems to be sitting pretty in his section of the draw. His only real stumbling block could come from the Spaniard Carlos Moya, who won this summer in Cincinnati on hard courts. Otherwise it should be smooth sailing to the semis for Agassi as Kafelnikov, who is the highest seed in his section, has had a miserable year and I'd be shocked to see him last the first week.

Moving to the bottom half of the draw, the other American contenders Andy Roddick and Pete Sampras could be headed for a quarterfinal showdown. Certainly at this stage Roddick would be the more likely to lead the quarterfinals as he leads the tour in wins this year. Tim Henman is the highest seed in Roddick's section but comes in to the Open with question marks about his shoulder.

Speaking of sore shoulders, Tommy Haas, the No. 3 seed is still struggling with his serving arm and that may be enough to open the door for Sampras to sneak through. Certainly Sampras in my mind is a long shot to reach the final weekend. His confidence is at an all-time low. But if anybody can turn it around at the Open it's got to be Sampras who has won in New York four times and reached the past two finals.

Moving to the bottom of the draw, the No. 2 seed Marat Safin should have a comfortable path to the semis, provided he can keep his mind together, which of course is always a question mark. But if Safin plays well, to me he is one of the favorites to win along with Hewitt and Agassi.

It doesn't look like there's anything that will stop Serena Williams from reaching the final of her third-straight slam. She certainly has an emotional first round with Corina Morariu coming back from her cancer. It will be a celebration of her spirit and comeback to professional tennis.

I think Hantuchova is the most talented of the up-and-coming youngsters and I expect her to play Serena in the quarterfinals. Henin has been slightly disappointing this year.

Lindsay Davenport has come back from her knee surgery looking fit and hitting the ball well. She's had a good summer, her only question mark is does she have the match toughness to reach the semifinals. Davenport will make it through to the semis because Dokic comes in with questionable fitness after having just pulled out of the Pilot Pen.

Moving to the bottom half of the draw, Jennifer Capriati faces Amelie Mauresmo, a player who may be her nemesis - she ousted her at Wimbledon and beat her last week - I don't think Jennifer has the same level of confidence as last year, so the matchup with Mauresmo will be key for her. Capriati will try to use the home crowd to get through to the semifinals to face Venus Williams. Chanda Rubin has had a great summer and could provide Venus test in the fouth round, but Venus seems to play her best in the majors.

Martina Hingis and Monica Seles come in as question marks -- neither is 100 percent physically. Hingis should get past Seles and will run into the wall of Venus.

What to watch for Watch for the guys who get through easily - it's important to get through the first matches and not have back-to-back long grueling matches. Because it's so hot on the hard courts at the U.S. Open. Especially for the old guys like Sampras and Agassi.

Generally at the Open because the courts are quick they favor players who can take the ball early like Agassi and Hewitt and the clay-court players who stay on the baseline struggle. Don't underestimate the Spaniards or the Argentinians, Moya who won recently and David Nalbandian, who reached the final at Wimbledon.

For the women, is there anyone who can stand up to the power of the Williams sisters. Davenport, Clijsters and Hantuchova?