The high spot of big-serving Rusedski's career so far has been reaching the final of the US Open in 1997.

There he ran into an on-song Patrick Rafter but the Briton's form around that time saw him propelled to number four in the world.

However, since then he has been dogged by injury and inconsistency.

Like his Davis Cup team-mate and rival Tim Henman, Rusedski's favourite surface is grass, which is no surprise given that he holds the ATP Tour record for the fastest serve - 149mph.

His biggest tournament win came in the 1999 Grand Slam Cup but this was followed by a lean period, the low point of which was a humiliating first round Wimbledon defeat to Vince Spadea the following year.

He managed to rebuild his game but despite winning in San Jose in 2001, has not really looked like reclaiming his place among the world's elite.

But those who doubted his motives for forsaking his Canadian nationality for a British passport in 1995 have been silenced by his dedication to Davis Cup.

On his day, the left-hander can beat the best in the world, as 10 Tour titles and victories in 2001 over Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten testify.