Agassi starts favourite

“Last year was a long year and Andre was playing catch-up (after) the wrist injury. But his preparation for the Australian Open started the moment he lost in Shanghai,” said Cahill, recalling the Tennis Masters Cup in November. “He is fitter than I have ever seen him and probably faster around the court. He is incredible.”

The 32-year-old Agassi has already sent a warning to world number one Lleyton Hewitt, beating Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 6-2, 6-3 to win the Kooyong Classic warm-up event on Saturday.

Cahill tipped Agassi and Hewitt to reach the final in Melbourne on January 26 and predicted another tight race for the year-ending number one spot in 2003. “Andre and Lleyton are going to have a great year again. A final between number one and number two? It is a great story at his age and there is no end in sight for Andre,” said Cahill, who used to coach Hewitt until he was fired at the end of 2001.

Agassi, who stepped up his already punishing training regime over Christmas in preparation for the Australian Open, won here in 1995 and then back-to-back in 2000 and 2001, the last time he tasted Grand Slam success.

“Andre peaked at the US Open with that great match against (Pete) Sampras. He had a great year last year but no Grand Slam title. This time he feels ready,” said Cahill. Agassi will be desperate to end that particular drought and win an eighth Grand Slam singles title. (Reuters)

Hewitt hopes to do it the Wimbledon way

Lleyton Hewitt will adopt the same endurance game plan that won him the Wimbledon title as he launches a fresh bid to win the Australian Open starting from Monday.

The World Number One’s best performance at Melbourne Park was a fourth-round finish in 2000, but his coach Jason Stoltenberg says the 21-year-old is perfectly placed to become the first Australian to win the title since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

Hewitt’s super fitness allowed him to win the Wimbledon crown from the back of the court last July, grinding opponents into submission. He will again attempt to intimidate opponents with his tireless running and chasing.

After bowing out in the first round to Spain’s Alberto Martin last year, Hewitt faces Swede Magnus Larsson first up before a likely encounter in the third round with Brazil’s former world number one Gustavo Kuerten. In 2002 Hewitt simply ran out of energy, having battled chicken pox over New Year.

“He was coming off a high as World Number One and that made him more hungry and it was good for him.” (Reuters)