Born: 23/7/81 Nationality: Finnish Seeded: 30 World ranking: 32 Wimbledon best: 2nd round (2002) Recent record: 2002: 2nd round 2001: N/A 2000: N/A

The young Finn has played just six sets on the grass courts in south London, winning three and losing three before being knocked out by Australia's Julian Knowle last year.

But the 21-year-old has increasingly impressed since he burst onto the scene 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 leading 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.