 | Born: 25/4/76 Nationality: German Seeded: 7 World ranking: 7 French Open best:
4th round (2003) Recent record:
2003: 4th round
2002: 2nd round
2001: 1st round |
Schuettler was possibly the most improved player of 2003, but the upward curve has hit a dramatic halt this season. He began last year by reaching his first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and though he was overwhelmed in the final by Andre Agassi, he subsequently set about proving that his success was no fluke.
The German number one played an incredible 28 tournaments, more than any other player in the world's top 10, and put together his best season ever on the ATP Tour.
He reached the quarter-finals or better in 16 tournaments, including six Masters Series events, picked up two titles - his first trophies since 2001 - and deservedly booked a place at the elite Masters Cup.
By contrast, he won only two ATP matches in the first three months of 2004, losing valuable ranking points when he crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round.
A baseliner with great agility and a strong return, Schuettler is at his best on hard courts but his one bright spot of this season came on the Monte Carlo clay where he reached the final.
MMIX
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