DOB:03.04.1976 Nationality:French World Ranking:33 Previous Wimbledon results: 2001 ::quarter-finals 2000 ::second round 1999 ::did not play 1998 ::second round

The 26-year-old made a name for himself when he powered France to an unlikely Davis Cup final victory over Australia last December.

Although naturally left-handed, Escude plays tennis right-handed and acts on any surface.

He showed his grass pedigree when he reached the final in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2000 and had a good run at SW19 last year when he reached the last eight before succumbing to Andre Agassi.

Although he is considered an under-achiever, his Grand Slam record in general is pretty good, having reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the quarter-finals at the US Open.