Fernando Verdasco came agonisingly close to reaching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon for the first time last year and it's hard to forget his absorbing five-set defeat to Mario Ancic, who clinched the deciding set 13-11.

Since then the hard-hitting Spaniard's reputation has grown further as he powered his way into the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne, ending the hopes of Andy Murray along the way.

His impressive run finally ended against eventual champion Rafael Nadal but only after another titanic five-set battle in a Grand Slam - at five hours and 14 minutes it became the longest match in the tournament's history.

The 25-year-old has maintained consistent momentum throughout 2009, reaching the fourth round at the French Open but perhaps more impressively progressing to the quarter-final stage of all five Masters 1000 events.

Best on clay, Verdasco is generally regarded as being comfortable on all surfaces and following his year of improvement he'll be looking to venture further than ever on the grass at SW19 this time round.