DOB:27.01.1980 Nationality:Russian World Ranking:2 Previous Wimbledon results: 2001 ::quarter-finals 2000 ::second round 1999 ::did not play 1998 ::first round

The Russian has an attractive all-court game, mixing power with flair, and on his day can beat any opponent.

The only problem is, he often has two to face - one of them being himself.

After imperiously brushing Pete Sampras aside in the US Open final in 2000, Safin was tipped to have a period of domination to rival that of Sampras himself.

But injury and an apparent disillusionment with the game have held the 22-year-old back.

He began the year in fine style, reaching the final of the Australian Open before surprisingly losing to the unheralded Thomas Johansson.

And he could suffer the effects of a run to the semi-final at the French Open, where he went down tamely to Juan Carlos Ferrero.