DOB: 03.04.1978 Nationality: German World Ranking: 9 Australian Open record: 2001 :: second round 2000 :: second round 1999 :: semi-final 1998 :: first round 1997 :: n/a

Haas is returning to the scene of his best Grand Slam performance.

Three years ago the German reached the last four but has since failed to maintain that form, not progressing beyond the fourth round at any other Grand Slam event.

But the 23-year-old may be on the verge of a second coming.

Last year he won four of his five career titles and finished eighth in the ATP Champions Race.

And in his last five events of the 2001 season Haas won two titles and reached the semi-finals of two more.

Haas will be looking to maintain that form and is more than capable of troubling some high profile opponents.