Born: 18/2/74 Nationality: Russian Seeded: 20 World ranking: 23 Wimbledon best: Quarter-finals (1995) Recent record: 2002: 3rd round 2001: 3rd round 2000: 2nd round

The former world number one is some way past his best but, on his day, still has the ability to match any of his peers.

After a relatively poor start to the season - by his high standards - his performances picked up at the end of April with back-to-back semi-finals in Munich and then the Tennis Masters Series in Rome.

He boasts a game strong enough to have captured two Grand Slam titles and has consistently been among the world's top six players in recent years.

But the Russian also possesses a streak of indifferent unpredictablity that has increasingly blighted his performances.

His Grand Slam form this season has been lacklustre. He exited the Australian Open in the second round.

Wimbledon is unlikely to be the scene of a revival as grass and the Russian right-hander have never really seen eye to eye.

The former world number one's best Wimbledon result came back in 1995 when he reached the quarter-finals.

This could be his last appearance as he continues to threaten retirement.