Date of Birth: 22.03.75 Became pro: 1993 World ranking: 12

Verdict: A player in the form of his life and one who is capable of doing well on all surfaces.

The Czech star reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open but then squandered a two-sets-to-one lead against eventual champion Thomas Johnasson.

If that performance was something of a shock, Novak has proved he is a player to reckon with over the past few months as he surged to a career-high ranking.

He was a semi-finalist in Dubai and Rome but lost in his opening match of the grass season in Halle.

Grass has always been his least favourite surface, but he showed here last year that he can play on it - he led grass expert Tod Martin by two sets to love before losing in five.

Could do well.

GRAND SLAM HISTORY
	02	01	00	99	98	97	96	95
Australian Open	SF	-	2R	3R	-	2R	1R	-
French Open	3R	3R	1R	2R	1R	-	2R	-
Wimbledon	-	2R	1R	2R	1R	1R	2R	-
US Open	-	3R	3R	4R	1R	2R	2R	1R

Key: 1R (first round); 2R (second round); 3R (third round); 4R (fourth round); QF (quarter-finals); SF (losing semi-finalists); RU (Runner up); W (winner).