Wayne Arthurs

Woodbridge and Arthurs triumphed in the semi-finals

Wayne Arthurs first came to the fore in the Davis Cup during Australia's 1999 semi-final against Russia.

Surprisingly, for a man who earns most of his money on the ATP doubles circuit, it was in the singles that he got his chance to shine.

With Pat Rafter and Mark Philippoussis both out injured, Arthurs came in to defeat the then world number two Yevgeny Kafelnikov in four sets.

However, the 30-year-old's form did not merit him a place in the final.

  Wayne Arthur facts

DOB 18.03.71

Height 6' 3"

Weight 177lbs

World Ranking 64

Cup singles record

3-2

Cup doubles record

1-2

He returned to the Davis Cup side in the doubles in February 2000.

But it was an unsuccessful return for Arthurs as he and Sandon Stolle lost against a doubles team including Roger Federer in the first round tie in Switzerland.

Arthurs did successfully deputise for the injured Philippoussis in the quarter-finals in Germany, where he came out on top in a marathon encounter against David Prinosil.

In the 2001 tournament the South Australian has partnered Todd Woodbridge in the doubles with mixed success.

The duo lost in the quarter-finals to the Ecuadorian pairing of the Lapentti brothers.

But significantly they came through when it really mattered against the Swedish pairing of Jonas Bjorkman and Magnus Larsson in the semi-finals.

The tall Australian is known for his powerful left-handed serve.

The recently installed grass court at the final's venue in Melbourne should be to his liking too.

Arthurs' best doubles performance on the ATP Tour in 2001 came in the Australian Open where he reached the semi-finals with Yugoslavia's Nenad Simonjic, only to be beaten by Woodbridge and Bjorkman.

On the singles front, Arthurs' season peaked with an appearance in the last 16 of the French Open at Roland Garros where he lost out to Federer.