JARKKO NIEMINEN No.30 seed

FACTFILE DOB: 23.07.1981 Nationality: Finnish World ranking: 33 Roland Garros record 2002::third round 2001:: n/a 2000:: n/a 1999:: n/a

Nieminen broke onto the tennis scene with a bang in Stockholm in 2001 when he reached the final as a qualifier in only his second ATP event.

Since then Nieminen has risen up the rankings steadily, finishing 2001 in the top 100, and 2002 inside the top 50.

Now Nieminen is threatening the top 20 after reaching his fourth ATP final in Munich at the end of April where he lost to Roger Federer.

Nieminen is adept on all surfaces, but his four finals have all come on clay, and if he is to make an impression at a Grand Slam, Roland Garros is the most likely.

He may not be ready quite yet, but if he continues to progress Nieminen's time will come soon.