DOB:22.03.1975 Nationality:Czech Republic World Ranking:15 Previous French Open results: 2001 ::third round 2000 ::first round 1999 ::second round 1998 ::first round

Novak showed in the Tennis Masters Series in Rome, where he reached the semi-finals, that he has the ability to perform on clay.

But that has yet to materialise in the Parisian capital where his current best (last year) is a place in the final 32.

He is in good Grand Slam form, having reached the Australian Open semi-final this year, losing to eventual winner Thomas Johansson in a five-set thriller.

The 27-year-old is also one of the few players to have successfully managed to play at the highest level in both singles and doubles tennis.