Federer to start defence against Milnar

World number one Roger Federer will begin the defence of his US Open crown next week against Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic, tournament officials said yesterday.

The top-seeded Swiss will be bidding for his sixth grand slam title, having won his third consecutive Wimbledon crown last month.

Women's world number one and top seed Maria Sharapova of Russia faces a tough first-round match against Greek Eleni Daniilidou, while second seed Lindsay Davenport of the US faces Li Na of China.

Federer, who has won nine titles this year, will be content with his draw although he could meet former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, the Spanish number 20 seed, in the fourth round.

Russian sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko is drawn to be his quarter-final opponent while Australian third seed Lleyton Hewitt is his likely semi-final opponent. Former champions Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, the top two-ranked US players, were drawn in the opposite half to Federer and could meet in the last four.

Seventh seed Agassi, champion in 1994 and 1999, will take on Razvan Sabau of Romania in the opening round while Czech teenager Tomas Berdych, the number 32 seed, could present him with a tough test in the third round.

Should he reach the quarter-finals, Agassi is seeded to play Rafael Nadal, the second seed, who beat him in the Montreal Masters final.