Born: 31/10/78 Nationality: Dutch Seeded: 21 World ranking: 16 Wimbledon best: N/A Recent record: 2002: N/A 2001: N/A 2000: N/A |
Few people have surprised more readily in recent Grand Slams than Verkerk. The Dutchman, seeded 46 before the tournament, was not tipped to do anything of note in Roland Garros.
But the wide-eyed 24-year-old just could not stop winning, much to the delight of the French crowd.
But it was to the dismay of Guillermo Coria, who he surprisingly beat in the semi-finals, and former champion Carlos Moya, whom he had overwhelmed in the previous round.
Verkerk has enjoyed his best ever season already in 2003, aside from his French Open successes.
He picked up his first career singles title by beating Yevgeny Kafelnikov at the International Series event in Milan.