 | Born: 17/12/77 Nationality: French Seeded: 32 World ranking: 33 French Open best:
4th round (2003) Recent record:
2003: 4th round
2002: 3rd round
2001: 1st round |
It is three years since the finest moment of Clement's career and there is little sign that the likeable Frenchman can repeat the Grand Slam final appearance he achieved then at the Australian Open. That match proved to be a no-contest as Andre Agassi brushed him aside to claim his third title at Melbourne Park.
Clement defeated close friend and compatriot Sebastien Grosjean in the semi-finals that year - but it is Grosjean who has become the more consistent performer overall.
Clement might have kept pace with his countryman were it not for a succession of injuries.
After one such lay-off, he took time to find his feet last season but then reached the French Open fourth round and the final of a grass-court event in Holland.
And, as if to prove his all-court ability, he picked up the second title of his career indoors in his home country in September and reached the final of another indoor event the following week.
As he struggled to find his form this season, Clement took the brave step of stepping down to Challenger level to boost his confidence - and won an event on clay in front of his home fans in Aix En Provence.
However, he followed that with consecutive first-round defeats in the Rome and Hamburg Masters.
MMIX
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