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Sunday, 30 June, 2002, 09:01 GMT 10:01 UK
Wimbledon's mystery men
Xavier Malisse
Malisse beat Tim Henman at the 2001 US Open

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At any normal Wimbledon, the start of the second week would see the big names come into their own with the title just four matches away.

But this year most of the big names have already been sent packing, leaving just a handful of recognisable faces in the last 16.

Of course there is the British pair of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedksi, while the huge serving of Mark Philippoussis and former champion Richard Krajicek should ring a few bells.

And world number one Lleyton Hewitt surely needs no introduction.

But who are the other 11 players battling for quarter-final places?


Jan Vacek (Cze)
After six fairly unremarkable years on the tour, the Czech made a huge leap to 66 in the world last year.

He had never been past the first round of a Grand Slam before this week, but at 6ft 6ins the 26-year-old certainly has the build for grass-court tennis.

Sjeng Schalken (Ned, 18)
The last two years have seen the big-serving 25-year-old become a regular in the top 30.

With several tour titles to his name he has the experience to prosper in the latter stages of a Grand Slam, and is comfortable on grass.

Mikhail Youzhny (Rus)
The Russian, who turned 20 last Tuesday, made an impact last year when he made it to the fourth round at Wimbledon and pushed Pat Rafter hard in the last 16.

A fierce competitor from the baseline, he looks sure to be a star of the future.

Michel Kratochvil
Kratochvil: Best Grand Slam performance

Michel Kratochvil (Swi)
Europe's best junior in 1996, a slow but steady improvement in the professional ranks saw the Swiss improve his ranking to break the top 50 last year.

Into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time but made the semis at Nottingham two weeks ago.

Feliciano Lopez (Spa)
The left-hander may only be 20, but he's already been a pro for five years without yet making a final.

Like most of his compatriots Lopez is a clay-court specialist, and this is by far his best performance in a Grand Slam.

Andre Sa (Bra)
The 25-year-old has made little impression in the higher reaches of the rankings, and had never made the third round of a Grand Slam before this Wimbledon.

Success on grass is a major surprise for the clay-courter.

Xavier Malisse (Bel, 27)
The pony-tailed Belgian first made headlines when he took on Tim Henman's former coach David Felgate two years ago, and promptly put the Briton out of the US Open.

Temperamental but talented, he is likely to feature for years to come.

David Nalbandian
Nalbandian: Reached semis at junior Wimbledon

David Nalbandian (Arg, 28)
A former junior Wimbledon semi-finalist, 20-year-old Nalbandian is a rising star having jumped more than 200 places in the rankings last year to break the top 50.

He has been improving fast and also made the fourth round at last month's French Open on his favoured clay.

Wayne Arthurs (Aus)
The affable Aussie has made the fourth round at Wimbledon before, and with a huge serve and good current form the 31-year-old will see this as his best-ever chance in a Grand Slam.

Nicolas Lapentti (Ecu, 22)
Lapentti is, amazingly, the top seed left in the bottom half of the draw. The talented but unpredictable 25-year-old is a superstar back home, but yet to make the breakthrough at Grand Slam level.

Arnaud Clement (Fra)
Clement is one of the more laid-back members of the tour, usually sporting bandana and sunglasses, but has Grand Slam pedigree after losing to Andre Agassi in the Australian Open final last year.

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