New millennium, same old story.

When the first Grand Slam of the 21st century kicks off on Monday, all eyes will be on Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

The American pair dominated tennis during the 1990s and they are expected to continue their power struggle this year, starting with the Australian Open.

The tournament may have been hit by a number of key withdrawals from both the men's and women's draws, but the biggest names of all will be there.

Last year saw Agassi return to form with the best season of his career.

His win at the French Open saw him become the first man in history to win a Grand Slam on four different surfaces.

After pulling off an amazing career comeback the top seed - who contemplated retirement when he slumped to a career-low No.141 in November 1997 - will start against unseeded Mariano Puerta from Argentina.

Agassi crashed out of last year's tournament in the last 16, but if his current form holds he can set his sights on a mouth-watering final against 1999 champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Kafelnikov will want to repeat the form that saw him beat Thomas Enqvist to win last year's title.

Toppled

Sampras is only seeded as number three in Melbourne, following a disappointing 1999 in which he struggled to find his best form - save for another triumph at Wimbledon.

That Wimbledon victory saw Sampras equal Australian Roy Emerson's record of 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

And victory in Melbourne will see him crowned as the most successful player in the history of the men's game.

The first round sees Sampras come up against local boy Wayne Arthurs but if he plays like we know he can he could be in a semi-final against his great rival Agassi, the man he beat in the Wimbledon final.

Others to watch out for include rising local star Leyton Hewitt, who comes into the tournament full of confidence after back-to-back wins in the Australian Hardcourt and Sydney International events.

But the Hardcourt victory was marred by controversy after Hewitt reportedly branded the Australian tennis-watching public "stupid".

Although he apologised for the remarks, they are unlikely to have endeared him to some sections of the Australian viewing public.

It will be Hewitt's first appearance at the finals and he looks set to impress.

British hopes will be on Tim Henman, after Greg Rusedski was forced to pull out with a foot injury.

Rusedski is not the only major player to fail to make the first round, as the early scheduling of the Australian Open again takes its toll on the entrance.

Other stars who will be missing from the Melbourne line-up include double US Open champion Pat Rafter and Marcelo Rios of Chile.