Born: 17/12/77 Nationality: French Seeded: 30 World ranking: 31 Australian Open best: Runner-up (2001) Recent record: 2003: N/A 2002: 2nd round 2001: Runner-up

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 is the more consistent performer overall.

Clement would have probably kept pace with Grosjean 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 grasscourt 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.

A canny baseliner, Clement's game is well-suited to Melbourne but it seems doubtful that the likeable 26-year-old can ever better his moment of glory in 2001.