DOB: 08.09.1976 Nationality: Dutch World Ranking: 20 Australian Open record:  2002 :: first round 2001 :: first round 2000 :: second round 1999 :: second round 1998 :: first round 1997 :: first round

The tall Dutchman may not be the most elegant of players but he proved in the second half of last year that he can trouble anyone.

Few players look as awkward from the back of the court, due to his stiff-backed technique, but Schalken is strong off both sides.

After a poor six months his season came to life last summer when he made the last four at Queen's and Wimbledon, winning on home soil in between.

Even more impressive was his run to the semi-finals of the US Open, where only a rejuvenated Sampras could stop him.