Born: 6/9/74 Nationality: British Seeded: 9 World ranking: 9 French Open best: 3rd round (2003, 2001, 2000, 1999) Recent record: 2003: 3rd round 2002: 2nd round 2001: 3rd round

Britain's best had reached the Wimbledon semi-finals four times but at the age of 28 it looked as if Grand Slam glory would elude him.

However, last season Henman raised a nation's hopes once again at the end of what he admitted had been his most difficult year.

With his ranking down in the 30s, Henman arrived at the Paris Masters very much an outsider - but proceeded to upset Sebastien Grosjean, Roger Federer and world number one Andy Roddick on his way to the title.

With his place in the world's top 20 restored, the 29-year-old linked up with Pete Sampras' former coach Paul Annacone and the results have continued to impress.

He has already reached a Masters final this year, in Indian Wells, and has returned to the top 10.

The 29-year-old still struggles on clay, but his intelligent game can trouble the world's best and on current form, he will be confident of going beyond the third round at Roland Garros for the first time.