Nadal, Djokovic take aim at Federer in New York

Second seed Nadal, who says he is over the minor dizzy spells he suffered this month in Cincinnati, will open against Australian unknown Alun Jones, while third seed Djokovic from Serbia faces a Balkan battle with Croatian Mario Ancic.

 Top seed Federer, winner of the last three editions, plays against qualifiers in both his first and second round matches.

 The Swiss comes in after winning his 50th career title at Cincinnati, one week after losing to Djokovic with a third-set letdown in the Montreal final.

 "Montreal was probably the best tournament of my career," said Wimbledon semi-finalist Djokovic.

 "I managed to do something which not many players did in the history of the tennis. I won against Roger in a tough match. I won two tiebreaks. It makes my success even bigger," he said.

 The 20-year-old also became the first to beat both Federer and Nadal during the same week after accounting for the  Spaniard in the semi-final.

 But Djokovic soon crashed back to earth, along with Nadal, as both went out in the Cincinnati second round.

 "After (Montreal), I believe more in myself and I have more confidence and I think I have enough quality to challenge the best players on the world and to be one of the favourites to win this tournament," said Djokovic, whose previous two New York appearances have ended in the third round.

 Nadal arrived in the city nearly a week ago and set up shop in a hotel near Central Park. The small-town clay king from Mallorca said that his fitness is back to 100 per cent after his Cincinnati niggle.

 "I've been here practising hard, I have good preparation for this tournament," he said. "It was strange, in Cincinnati. I felt totally dizzy when I start the match. But after two days, I am fine, I'm so much better."

   "I practised four hours yesterday, no problem," he added.

 As for Federer, after attending a cocktail party this week sponsored by fashionista friend Anna Wintour and hitting for the last time with the retiring Tim Henman, the Swiss timepiece is ticking over perfectly.

 "In Cincinnati, I was really struggling with my rhythm," said the 11-time Grand Slam champion.

 "But in the end, I really played my best on the final day. That's how I really won so many of my 50 titles, is to play my best in the finals."

   Federer pronounced himself "in great shape."

   "I've had the best summer of my life. Hopefully I can repeat the win here at the US Open again," he said, adding that he is looking forward to returning to the best-of-five competition.

 "I just think it's more of a battle, it's more interesting," he said. "It allows your opponent to get back into the match. You got to really close him out because over best of three sets you make one mistake and you're gone, it happens so fast."

   "Over five, the better player usually wins," Federer said.

 Federer is bidding to become the first man since Bill Tilden in 1923 to collect a fourth successive New York title. Tilden eventually won six in a row.

 Between them, Federer and Nadal have won the last ten majors, the longest period of domination at Grand Slams by two men since four majors were played for the first time in 1925.

 That mark surpasses the eight won by Roy Emerson and Rod Laver from 1961 Wimbledon through 1963 Roland Garros.

 DPA