Hewitt still believes he can win another grand slam

NEW YORK, Aug 27 (Reuters) Lleyton Hewitt won his only US Open six years ago yet the battling Australian still believes he has it in him to win another.

With top-ranked Roger Federer and number two Rafael Nadal firmly in command, however, the 26-year-old concedes there is not a lot of room at the top of tennis.

''I'd love nothing more than to win another slam,'' Hewitt told reporters Sunday. ''Yeah, there's not that many guys I think that are capable of winning them, to tell you the truth.

''I obviously put myself up there when I'm playing my best, just behind those guys.'' Hewitt was the world's best player in the early part of the decade, following his 2001 US Open crown with a victory in at Wimbledon in 2002.

But at the same time that Federer began climbing, Hewitt's game slipped a bit. He is now ranked 16th and often an afterthought when considering grand slam contenders.

The two-week US Open begins today and Hewitt is hoping to recapture the magic of 2001 when he crushed Pete Sampras 7-6 6-1 6-1 in the title match.

Hewitt is a crowd favourite at Flushing Meadows because of his emotional play. He loves the atmosphere, especially in cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium.

''It's probably a bit louder crowd here in terms of people yelling out occasionally during points,'' he said. ''If you're playing Americans, it gets pretty loud.

''It's the biggest stadium we get to play in front of any year and I enjoy playing in big atmospheres. I look forward to the big matches. This is one of the best center courts.'' The 16th seeded Hewitt will begin his US Open against unseeded Bosnian-born American Amer Delic. These days, Hewitt does not look beyond the opening round.

''I'm just sort of looking to try and get through this first round against Delic,'' he said. ''He's an attacking player with a big serve, got a big game. He's a dangerous opponent. So it's a matter of trying to weather the storm.

''I'm trying to put myself in the right frame of mind to move forward.'' REUTERS TB RK1315