DOB: 10.09.1976 Nationality: Brazilian World Ranking: 2 Australian Open record: 2001 :: second round 2000 :: first round 1999 :: second round 1998 :: second round 1997 :: second round

At the age of 24, Kuerten has already won the French Open three times.

He is one of only five players to win the four biggest clay court titles since 1950 - Roland Garros, Hamburg, Monte Carlo and Rome.

But in Australia, "Guga" has had more sparing success and is yet to progress beyond the second round.

The former world number one is ever popular on the court with the crowds, but has a cooler relationship with the authorities.

He refused to enter Wimbledon last year after publicly disagreeing with the seeding system.

Kuerten won six of his 16 tour titles last year, but is unlikely to add to that list at Melbourne Park where success would see the Brazilian lasting to the second week.