Mark Philippoussis meets unknown Dutchman Mertin Verkerk in day one of Australian Open action, but he has no idea what awaits him.

Should he account for Verkerk as expected on centre court the hometown hero will likely face Thai sensation Paradorn Srichapan in round two.

Anyone with a copy of the Australian Open draw and a smattering of tennis knowledge can work that out, but Philippoussis is in the dark.

He takes the phrase "taking it one match at a time" to an extreme, refusing to look at the draw sheet to see what awaits him in successive matches.

His coach Peter McNamara was not allowed to utter the names of players beyond Verkerk, while Philippoussis had even asked the media not to mention future opponents when questioning him.

It was probably best he does not know Srichapan lies in his path, with the Thai hero to kick off centre-court action this morning against Austrian Jurgen Melzer.

Srichapan was a relative nobody this time last year, but his ranking had rocketed to 14 after a stellar 2002 when he won more hard-court matches than any other player.

His status and popularity in Thailand was staggering, being met with a series of motorcades and public appearances upon his return in November, granted a rare audience with the King, given a diplomatic passport, free first-class world air travel and named Thai of the Year.

He was seventh in order of betting to win the Australian Open behind Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Carlos Moya, Roger Federer, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Marat Safin.

Hewitt has the first day of the Open off, given him a chance to further hone his craft before Tuesday's meeting with qualifier and former world number ten Magnus Norman.

Agassi will take on fellow American Brian Vahaly while Ferrero meets Franco Squillari and Moya battles Belgian Dick Norman.

In the women's draw, Venus Williams will follow Srichapan on Rod Laver Arena against Svetlana Kuznetsova, with interest likely to focus on her on-court apparel if previous years are any guide.

Jennifer Capriati is aiming to win a third-straight Open crown and her first task will be to beat German Marlene Weingartner, while Justine Henin-Hardenne takes on Myriam Casanova.

Tournament organisers will not have to wait long to institute a revamped heat policy with temperatures expected to reach the high 30s on day one.

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