Nicolas Escude

Escude has never lost a singles rubber

Nicolas Escude has already won himself a place in the hearts of French tennis fans thanks to a spectacular display in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

Escude was a last minute replacement for the injured Sebastien Grosjean against Switzerland.

He beat Roger Federer in four sets in his first game, but it was his display in the deciding final rubber that really stands out.

Escude triumphed 8-6 over George Bastl in a five-set thriller after saving a match point.

  Nicolas Escude facts

DOB 03.04.76

Height 6' 1"

Weight 155lbs

World Ranking 27

Cup singles record

6-0

Cup doubles record

2-1

The 25-year-old served up a similar performance in the first rubber of the semi-final when he beat Holland's Sjeng Schelken 8-6 in the fifth set after twice being a set down.

Escude has been in and out of the French Davis Cup side since 1998 - he missed France's appearance in the final in 1999 but returned to the fold in 2000.

He has never lost any of his singles rubbers, his record stands at played six, won six.

The Frenchman is cross-lateral, playing his tennis right-handed but using his left-hand for everything else, for example writing and throwing a ball.

It is his fourth consecutive year of being ranked in the world's top 50 and he is comfortable on all surfaces.

In Grand Slams this year, the Frenchman peaked with a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon where he lost out to Andre Agassi.