NEW YORK - With her ankle healing faster than expected after surgery, Martina Hingis asked Monday for wild-card entry into the U.S. Open, where she has been seeded No. 1 every year since 1997.

        Hingis, who had an operation to repair ligament damage in her left ankle May 20, didn't play in the French Open and Wimbledon - the first Grand Slam tournaments she has missed since 1994.

        On Monday, Octagon Management announced that Hingis has entered two Open tuneup tournaments in the next two weeks. She also requested an invitation for the Open, which begins Aug. 26.

        “We are very pleased to learn that Martina Hingis is healthy once again and beginning her return to competitive tennis,” said Jim Curley, tournament director of the Open. “The USTA will announce the eight men and eight women who will receive main draw singles wild-card entries in the U.S.Open after our wild card committee meets next week to review requests.”

        That meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13.

        McENROE VS. BECKER: John McEnroe and Boris Becker will play an exhibition match before the U.S.Open women's final, and the winner of the Sept. 7 match will earn $50,000 for a charity of his choice.

        The two will play a best-of-three-sets match, with a 10-point tiebreaker.

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