Hewitt sees himself among few possible Slam winners

NEW YORK: Lleyton Hewitt sees few men capable of winning a Grand Slam tennis title these days, but the 16th-seeded Australian puts himself in that elite group ahead of Monday's start of the US Open.

The 26-year-old Aussie, whose first Grand Slam singles title came here in 2001, has had an impressive run to the Open, reaching semi-finals at Montreal and Cincinnati before losing to world number one Roger Federer at each.

Federer has won 11 of the past 13 non-clay Slams while Spain's second-ranked Rafael Nadal has won the past three French Opens.

In Slams, Hewitt lost to third-ranked Serbian Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon's fourth round, Nadal in the French Open round of 16 and eventual runner-up Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the Australian Open third round.

Add 2006 Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus to the mix and you have most of the people Hewitt sees as favorites and top Slam challengers.

"I would love nothing more than to win another Slam. It is not that many guys I think that are capable of winning them, to tell you the truth," Hewitt said.

"There are outside guys that are capable of making semis, finals, making a bit of a run, but obviously Federer in three out of four has been the standout and Rafa has been the standout in the other one.

"You see a couple good runs from Gonzalez, Baghdatis. Apart from that, there really hasn't been a standout to an actual real contender.

"I obviously put myself up there when I'm playing my best, just behind those guys."

Hewitt, a quarter-finalist or better in the past seven US Opens, could have a chance to avenge his Wimbledon loss to Djokovic in the Open quarter-finals.

"If I get a crack at him, it would be nice," Hewitt said. The Adelaide ace would also welcome another chance at Federer, which could only come in the final.

"If I'm going to win the tournament you're going to probably have to play him sometime, whether it's the round of 16 or the final," Hewitt said. "Sometimes he plays his best tennis in the finals too."

But Hewitt is not looking past his first-round foe, Bosnian-born American Amer Delic.

"This kind of court probably suits his game the best. He's an attacking player with a big serve, so it's a matter of trying to weather the storm a little bit," Hewitt.

"I feel good at the moment. I'm just looking to try and get through this first round against Delic. He's a dangerous opponent. I am Trying to put myself in the right frame of mind to move forward."

Part of that mental boost comes from his 2001 breakthrough Slam title and part comes from the fact that he thrives on the intense atmosphere and loud crowds that jam Arthur Ashe Stadium day and night.

"This is a special place for me. I always look forward to coming back and playing here," Hewitt said. "I've always felt comfortable. It suits my game. It's conditions I think, atmosphere in New York and also my personality.

"It's probably a bit louder crowd, especially as it's the biggest stadium we get to play in front of any year. I enjoy playing in big atmospheres. I look forward to big matches."