 | Born: 24/4/81 Nationality: American Seeded: 27 World ranking: 27 Australian Open best:
3rd round (2002) Recent record:
2003: N/A
2002: 3rd round
2001: N/A |
Taylor Dent is many experts' tip to break into the big time this year. That will depend largely on injuries, of which Dent has suffered more than his fair share recently.
The muscular American began last season by picking up his first ATP title in Memphis and looked a dangerous proposition heading into Wimbledon.
But the serve-volleyer picked up a pinched nerve in his right wrist during his first-round match and did not play again before the US Open.
And worse was to follow at Flushing Meadows where he got to the fourth round before his chances of further progress were wrecked by a hamstring injury.
He returned later in September to pick up two more titles and improve his year-end ranking for the sixth straight season.
The son of Australian Davis Cup stalwart Phil Dent, the 22-year-old has elected to play for the country of his birth and put paid to reports that he may represent Australia when he made his Davis Cup debut for America in February last year.
Dent has only played the Australian Open once in his career, reaching the third round in 2002, but with his powerful attacking game, he should prosper on the Rebound Ace surface - injuries permitting.
MMIX
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