Born: 23/4/83 Nationality: Slovakian Seeded: 9 World ranking: 10 US Open best: Quarter-final (2002) Recent record: 2002: Quarter-final 2001: 1st round 2000: N/A

Hantuchova's rise to become one of the world's best players has been phenomenal.

Virtually unknown at the beginning of last season, the tall Slovakian stunned Martina Hingis in the final of the prestigious Indian Wells event to win her first title.

She followed that by reaching the last eight at Wimbledon and the US Open, picking up an army of fans along the way.

Although 2003 started well with a third straight Grand Slam quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open, Hantuchova has endured a rocky second season at the top.

Still looking for her first title this year, she has suffered some shock defeats, most notably to Shinobu Asagoe in the second round at Wimbledon, during which she broke down in tears.

The 20-year-old has faced a stream of questions about her weight - and she will be keen to put her problems behind her at the US Open.