Born: 10/9/76 Nationality: Brazilian Seeded: 28 World ranking: 29 French Open best: Winner (2001, 2000, 1997) Recent record: 2003: 4th round 2002: 4th round 2001: Winner

Already a crowd favourite at Roland Garros, Kuerten won a permanent place in their affections when he captured his third French Open crown in 2001 and drew a heart in the clay of Court Philippe Chatrier.

A repeat seems unlikely in 2004.

The former world number one underwent hip surgery in 2002 and has since been a shadow of his former self.

Nonetheless, he won two titles last year and in February he delighted his adoring fans in Brazil by winning a trophy on home soil in Costa Do Sauipe - the 20th of his career.

With one of the finest backhands in the game, Kuerten is comfortable on hard-courts but he comes into his own on clay.

He has been subdued in the run-up to this year's French Open, but it would be no surprise if Roland Garros, the scene of his best moments, brought the best out of the Brazilian.