YOUNES EL AYNAOUI
No.23 seed |
FACTFILE DOB: 12.09.1971 Nationality: Moroccan World ranking: 26 Roland Garros record 2002:: second round 2001:: second round 2000:: fourth round 1999:: second round |
El Aynaoui has found a new level of performance since turning 30 almost two years ago.
Last year was his most successful on the tour as he claimed three ATP titles in five finals, and the Moroccan has maintained that momentum in 2003.
Proof of that improvement can be seen in his recent Grand Slam results, with quarter-final appearances at both the US and Australian Opens.
And it was in Melbourne that he went from being a relative journeyman to a household name, first by knocking out top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round.
El Aynaoui then secured his place in Grand Slam history with an epic five-set defeat to Andy Roddick, which finished 21-19 in the fifth.
But for a man brought up on clay, and a previous winner in Casablanca and Munich, El Aynaoui's record at Roland Garros is surprisingly poor.
In nine attempts he has only made the fourth round twice but is in good enough form to finally set the record straight.
MMIX
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