For the sixth-seeded Chang, Washington was a dangerous floater, unseeded, ranked only 28th, but always capable against the top 10 players.

She enters the Open with few expectations and a wild card that makes her what she called the "dangerous floater."

From "the luck of the draw" to "dangerous floaters" tennis players tread lightly about their destiny during a Grand Slam tournament.

The role of the dangerous floater was defined in stereo yesterday at the United States Open, where the seedings continue to be more fiction than fact.

Not that it will be easy: Courier's first-round match is against Australian Mark Woodforde, a dangerous floater ranked No. 94, and Connors looms in the quarterfinals.

However, the Sri Lankans are always dangerous floaters in events such as these.

But tonight he ran into a floater even more dangerous than himself.

Marshall, however, has a testing first-round opponent in Australian Anthony Hill, the world No 18, who is, perhaps, the most dangerous 'floater'.

Pat Cash of Australia, the 1987 champion, or Yannick Noah, both potentially dangerous floaters, could test Becker in the fourth round.

"I like being a dangerous floater," said Williams, who arrived here ranked 81st and has guaranteed herself a spot in the top 50 by reaching the quarterfinals.