Sport

Six to watch

Andre Agassi (USA), Age: 31: Long past the age when he should be a threat to the players coming through, but the 31-year-old …

Mon May 28 2001 - 01:00

Andre Agassi (USA), Age: 31: Long past the age when he should be a threat to the players coming through, but the 31-year-old minds himself for the big events and if he survives the first week of qualifiers and non-seeds, is a good bet. By far the best return of serve in the game and probably the best tactician.

Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa), Age: 21: The best clay court player this season. In his third year as a professional, he hits hard and hits all day. He won 30 matches this year and lost only seven. Last year he reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros, his best ever round in a Grand Slam event.

Lleyton Hewitt(Aus), Age: 20: Another of the new breed who promises much but has yet to really deliver at a Grand Slam. Sparky and ill tempered, Hewitt spits fire and brimstone. A semi-finalist in last year's US Open, the clay suits his hard-hitting game. Added maturity should make his game more effective this year.

Women

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Jennifer Capriati (US), Age: 25: Had a fairytale comeback at the beginning of this year when she lifted the Australian Open crown for her first Grand Slam title. After winning Olympic Gold in 1992, her career went into freefall and she was arrested for shoplifting and drug offences. Capriati is one of the most powerful players on the circuit and can beat any player on her day.

Amelia Mauresmo (Fra), Age: 21: Mauresmo burst on to the scene in 1999 by reaching the final of the Australian Open unseeded. Tall, fit and very powerful, Mauresmo's frame allows her to generate immense power on her ground-strokes. This year she has the best record in the women's game, having lost just three times and having won four tournaments.

Justine Henin (Belgium), Age: 18: A graceful, thoughtful player, Henin has blossomed in 2001 from a precocious talent into a tough all-court player. Started the year in great form, stringing together a 13-match unbeaten run during which eh won two titles in Australia. Shocked world number two Venus Williams 6-1 6-4 at the German Open earlier this month. Classic, fluid ground-strokes and a sharp punchy-volley combine to make a complete package.