Martina Hingis was seeded No. 1 in the women's singles.

Sampras, who won the U.S. Open in 1990, '93, '95 and '96, tied the Open era mark set by John McEnroe, who was seeded No. 1 in 1981, '82, '83, '84 and '85. Sampras also received the top seeding in 1994, '96, '97 and '98.

The right-hander is seeking his 13th career Grand Slam tournament men's singles title, which would break the record held by Roy Emerson. He tied Emerson's mark when he won Wimbledon for the fifth time in July.

American men have now have been top-seeded at the U.S. Open for eight straight years: Jim Courier in 1992 and '93; Sampras in 1994, '96, '97, '98 and '99, and Andre Agassi in 1995.

Agassi is seeded No. 2 this year -- the fifth time in the Open era that two Americans have been seeded in the top two spots in men's singles.

Reigning Australian Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia is seeded No. 3, followed by two-time defending U.S. Open champion Patrick Rafter of Australia at No. 4.

Hingis, who won the U.S. Open two years ago, is seeded No. 1 for a third consecutive year. Defending champion Lindsay Davenport is seeded No. 2 for a second consecutive year, followed, in order, by Venus Williams and Monica Seles.

The U.S. Open begins its two-week run Monday at the National Tennis Center in New York.