14. Radek Stepanek

Born: 27/11/78 Nationality: Czech Seeded: 14 World ranking: 15 Wimbledon best: 3rd round (2002 & 2003) Recent record: 2004: 2nd round 2003: 3rd round 2002: 3rd round

Stepanek's career has been something of a slow-burner - he made his ATP Tour debut back in 1998 but didn't appear in a Grand Slam event until 2002.

He is yet to get beyond the third round of any Slam and has never won an ATP Tour title.

But he has steadily moved up the rankings and had his best year so far in 2004, finishing it by reaching the first final of his career in the Paris Masters.

He lost to Marat Safin on that occasion but a second final followed in 2005 when he was runner-up to Robin Soderling in the Milan indoor tournament.

A good serve means he can play on all surfaces although he is more at home on clay than grass.

And his improving form withstanding, it would be a big surprise if the man nicknamed "Steps" takes any giant strides at Wimbledon.