DOB: 24.02.1981 Nationality: Australian World Ranking: 1 Australian Open record: 2001 :: third round 2000 :: fourth round 1999 :: second round 1998 :: first round 1997 :: first round

A consistent performer on all surfaces, Hewitt fulfilled his potential in 2001 by winning the US Open and moving to the top of the rankings.

Both successes came late in the year and crowned a season in which he became the first of the young pretenders to seriously challenge the older generation.

Hewitt also starred in Australia's 1999 Davis Cup triumph over France.

But a reverse defeat to the French, at home in December, has left the young star still waiting for a first notable victory on home soil.

He has a poor record at Melbourne Park and a change of Open build-up was hit by a bout of chicken pox.

The charismatic south Australian, a firm favourite with the crowd, has won 12 tour titles and is the first Australian to be granted top seeding since Ken Rosewall in 1976.