New York, July 19:

Three-time defending champion Roger Federer heads the men’s field for the US Open tennis. Federer will be trying to become the first man to win this Grand Slam four consecutive times in the Open era — and first with that many in a row since Bill Tilden won six US Open from 1920-25.

Three other past US Open winners are in the field: Andy Roddick (2003), Lleyton Hewitt (2001) and Marat Safin (2000). Other past Grand Slam champions in the tournament are No 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Thomas Johansson and Carlos Moya. In addition to the 104 players who received direct entry, eight will get wild cards and 16 will earn berths in qualifying. The US Open is slated for August 27 to September 9.