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Roger Federer, who is aiming at the sixth straight US Open title, will challenge the 18-year-old American wildcard Devin Britton in the first round. Devin, who has no Grand Slam experience and is ranked outside the top 500, will face the top seed Federer for the first time.
Roger Federer, who is quite confident about his victory, recalled a similar situation in his own tennis life in 1998 against Andre Agassi.
The world number one who hopes to become the first in modern history to win six straight titles in New York said, “I went through maybe something a little bit similar when I played Agassi when I was 17 in Basel, in my hometown where I used to be a ballboy.”
"I played Agassi - that was disbelief," admitted the 15-time Grand Slam singles champion. "I knew I still had a lot of work to do from the baseline, and I was playing maybe one of the best players of all time in that match.”
"I was in shock, but you try to enjoy it and try to put in a good fight," he said of the 6-3, 6-2 defeat.
He said, “A best-of-five-set match is may be something Britton has never played before.”
"But in tennis you always have a chance. If you think the guy's not to make a game, it's absurd. That's how tennis is. You have to be very careful. I have to make sure I put in a good performance."
Federer seized his number one ranking from Rafael Nadal by winning Wimbledon, and has to perform consistently to maintain his long time honour.
He would continue in the first spot by reaching the fourth round. But any early failure would give way to new number two Andy Murray and No. 3 Nadal to grab the place.
The 2001 New York winner Lleyton Hewitt will play against world number 106 Thiago Alves of Brazil in the opening match.
German Bjorn Phau will challenge Wimbledon finalist and fifth seed Andy Roddick in their opening-day meeting.
In women's match, second-seeded Serena Williams will face American Alexa Glatch, whom she defeated last spring in Miami.
Third seed Venus will meet Russian Vera Dushevina, while 2005 winner Kim Clijsters will take on Viktoriya Kutuzova of the Ukraine.
