Capriati's golden comeback

Lleyton Hewitt failed to win the crown on home soil

Last year's Australian Open not only produced one of the tennis stories of the year, but also one of sport's great shocks.

On a sweltering Saturday, American Jennifer Capriati beat Switzerland's world number one Martina Hingis 6-4 6-3.

It was a result that sent shockwaves around the world, not only because the favourite had been beaten but because the winner had one time been guilty of drug use and petty crime.

Capriati became the biggest outsider to win a women's Grand Slam title since tennis went open in 1968.

Andre Agassi made it an American double when he defeated Arnaud Clement of France 6-4 6-2 6-2, to win his third title and second successive.

Henin: A taste of things to come

Despite the threat of the young guns - such as Australian Lleyton Hewitt, Sebastien Grosjean and Marat Safin - it was the 30-year-old who shone through.

It was a good tournament for the French, as Clement and Grosjean showed. The pair went on to help their country beat Australia to win the Davis Cup.

There were also signs that neighbours Belgium were going have some say later in the year.

Justine Henin, who had won back-to-back titles in Canberra and the Gold Coast, was eventually defeated by four-time champion Monica Seles in the fourth round.

She had climbed 24 places to 21st in the world in the space of a month and finshed seventh in the WTA rankings having also reached the final of Wimbledon.

Countrywoman Kim Clijsters showed her potential by making the fourth round, only to be knocked out by finalist Martina Hingis.

The British boys, Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman both reached the last 16.

Henman was sunk in straight sets by home favourite Pat Rafter, while Rusedski fell to finalist Arnaud Clement in three sets, also in three sets.