DOB:27.01.1974 Nationality:Romania World Ranking:25 Previous French Open results: 2001 ::first round 2000 ::first round 1999 ::first round 1998 ::-

Pavel crafted his game in Germany as a teenager but now lives in Monte Carlo.

He scored a sensational Tennis Masters Series win in Montreal last July, beating Xavier Malisse, Hicham Arazi, Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and Pat Rafter on his way to the title.

His great strength on court comes from his sniping backhand, but so far it has done him little good at the French Open where he has not passed the first hurdle in the last three attempts.

Prefers to play his tennis from the back of the court and is rarely put off his stride by opponents attacking at the net.