Born: 22/10/71 Nationality: South African Seeded: 14 World ranking: 15 US Open best: Quarter-final (1998, 1996, 1994) Recent record: 2002: 3rd round 2001: 1st round 2000: 3rd round

Now a veteran on the women's tour at the age of 31, Amanda Coetzer is still testing the best players in the world.

Between 1992 and 2001, the diminutive South African did not finish the season outside the top 20.

That run ended last year when she finished 21st following a series of disappointing performances in Grand Slam tournaments, which included a second-round defeat at Wimbledon to British wildcard Elena Baltacha.

Despite reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and picking up her ninth career title at the clay event in Acapulco, she suffered an early exit at Roland Garros.

She was beaten in three sets by Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik in the first round and then could only reach the second round at Wimbledon before being upset by Francesca Schiavone.

The pint-sized player will be hoping for better fortunes in New York, where she has made three quarter-final appearances.