Given that he has reached four Grand
Slam semi-finals in his career, it seems
incredible that he has won just three
ATP Tour titles.
Those major semi-finals include back-to-back
Wimbledons, and in 2003 he broke British
hearts when he knocked out Tim Henman
in the quarters.
The French Davis Cup veteran equalled
that achievement last year when he fell
to eventual champion Roger Federer at
the last-four stage.
His grass credentials are boosted by
his victory at the Nottingham event
in 2000 and his two final appearances
at Queen's, where he was beaten on both
occasions by Andy Roddick.
Even so, he will be delighted to be
seeded ninth after slipping outside
the world's top 20 following an ordinary
run of form.
