Born: 8/6/83 Nationality: Belgian Seeded: 2 World ranking: 2 Wimbledon best: Quarter-final (2001) Recent record: 2002: 2nd round 2001: Quarter-finals 2000: 2nd round

Over the past six months, Clijsters has emerged as a likely player to upset the Williams sisters' domination of the sport - something she proved by replacing Venus as the world number two.

Having suffered injury and illness in 2002, Clijsters found her form again this season, winning three titles - in Sydney, Indian Wells and Rome.

What is still missing is a Grand Slam trophy, which she narrowly missed out on at this year's French Open when she was beaten by compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final.

Whether the Belgian can address that problem at Wimbledon remains less certain.

Reaching the quarter-finals in 2001 remains her best performance at SW19, while last year she was sent packing in the second round by unseeded Russian Elena Likhovtseva.

But Clijsters has shown the ability to match the power hitters in the women's game, such as Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo and, of course, the Williams sisters.

At the WTA Tour Championships in November, Clijsters beat Venus in the semi-finals before battling past Serena in the final in straight sets.