 | Born: 10/10/78 Nationality: Dutch Seeded: 19 World ranking: 19 French Open best:
Finalist (2003) Recent record:
2003: Finalist
2002: N/A
2001: N/A |
Verkerk will need to reproduce the heroics of the French Open last year if he is to hang on to his place in the world's top 20. The Dutchman stormed into the 2003 final with victories over Rainer Schuettler, Carlos Moya and Guillermo Coria, before his form finally deserted him against Juan Carlos Ferrero.
In a stunning four months up to the French Open, Verkerk also won his first title in Basel in 2003, and reached the quarter-finals at the Rome Masters.
But Verkerk struggled with elevated expectations after his Roland Garros exploits.
In the rest of the season, he won only four matches in 10 events.
He has rediscovered some form this season, with a final appearance on clay in Munich the highlight so far.
At 6ft 5in, Verkerk has a huge serve and tremendous power off both sides, meaning he can be virtually unplayable when the force is with him.
But with so many points to defend, Verkerk is under huge pressure to perform at Roland Garros this year and he is no longer the unknown quantity he was a year ago.
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