 | Born: 19/7/74 Nationality: American Seeded: 29 World ranking: 29 Australian Open best:
Quarter-final (1999) Recent record:
2003: 1st round
2002: N/A
2001: N/A |
Spadea has managed to stay in the world's top 30 after a superb start to last season which saw him fly up the rankings. The American twice reached the semi-finals in Masters Series events - Indian Wells and Monte Carlo - in March and April.
The 28-year-old also made the semis in Memphis and, along with five other quarter-finals, was impressively consistent in 2003.
That was in stark contrast to the 2000 season - when he lost 21 straight matches.
Unfortunately, it remains the most notable element of Spadea's career, and it is doubtful whether he can change that in Melbourne.
A solid baseliner, he is capable of prospering on hardcourts and reached the Australian Open quarter-finals in 1999 - his best ever Grand Slam performance.
MMIX
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