All of the top men’s seeds are going home early. Australian Patrick Rafter the defending U.S. Open champion, and former number one Andre Agassi, who surged into the top 10 last year after finishing 1997 ranked 122nd, were both upset within the last week. Karol Kucera of Slovakia, ranked seventh is the highest men’s seed still playing. Both Rafter and Agassi could have moved within striking range of Sampras this year with a strong Australian Open performance. So could have England’s Tim Henman who was also knocked out early. Henman and fellow countryman Greg Rusedski could still threaten for Sampras’ spot this year, each won two tourn- aments in 1998 and finished ranked in the top 10. It could all make for some interesting tennis in 1999. That is, when everyone starts talking about tennis again.
