Sampras, Hingis head star cast

WHITE PLAINS, AUG 25: World No 1 Pete Sampras and top-ranked woman Martina Hingis were installed as the premier seeds for the US Open Tennis Championships beginning next week. Four-time champion Sampras is seeded first at the US Open for a fifth time, tying the Open era men8217;s singles record held by John McEnroe. Sampras8217;s long-time rival Andre Agassi was made the second seed following Sunday8217;s victory at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington which elevated the Las Vegas native to world No 2. Two-time defending men8217;s champion Patrick Rafter Australia will be the fourth seed, behind Australian Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov Russia.

Hingis, the 1997 winner, was seeded first at Flushing Meadows for the third consecutive year. Defending women8217;s singles champion Lindsay Davenport was seeded second, fellow American Venus Williams third and former world No 1 Monica Seles four.

US Open Seedings

Men8217;s singles

1. Pete Sampras US
2. Andre Agassi US
3. Yevgeny Kafelnikov Rus
4.Patrick Rafter Australia
5. Gustavo Kuerten Brazil
6. Tim Henman Britain
7. Todd Martin US
8. Carlos Moya Spain
9. Greg Rusedski Britain
10. Marcelo Rios Chile
11. Mark Philippoussis Aus
12. Richard Krajicek Neds
13. Alex Corretja Spain
14. Tommy Haas Germany
15. Nicolas Kiefer Germany
16. Nicolas Lapentti Ecu
Women8217;s singles

1. Martina Hingis Swi
2. Lindsay Davenport US
3. Venus Williams US
4. Monica Seles US
5. Mary Pierce France
6. Amanda Coetzer SA
7. Serena Williams US
8. Jana Novotna Cze Rep
9. Julie Halard-Decugis Fra
10. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 11. Nathalie Tauziat France
12. Barbara Schett Austria
13. Dominique Van Roost Bel
14. Sandrine Testud France
15. Amelie Mauresmo Fra
16. Conchita Martinez Spa