 | Born: 18/2/74 Nationality: Russian Seeded: 28 World ranking: 28 US Open best:
Semi-finals (1999, 2001) Recent record:
2002: 2nd round
2001: Semi-finals
2000: 3rd round |
Kafelnikov could be making his last appearance at Flushing Meadows as he is expected to retire at the end of the year. The former world number one is some way past his best, if only because he lacks motivation.
On his day, Kafelnikov still has the ability to match any of his peers and he has made one final and two semi-finals this year.
He boasts a game strong enough to have captured two Grand Slam titles and was consistently among the world's top six players in the 1990s.
But it is some time since the Russian has shown the desire necessary to win major events and his Grand Slam form this season has been lacklustre.
Two semi-final appearances in the last four years mean Kafelnikov should not be totally discounted at the US Open.
His main aim, however, appears to be a sixth successive Moscow title in October.
MMIX
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