DOB: 12.08.1971 Nationality: American World Ranking: 10 Australian Open record: 2001 :: fourth round 2000 :: semi-final 1999 :: n/a 1998 :: quarter-final 1997 :: winner

Sampras is bearing down on a half-century of Grand Slam appearances.

But the suspiscion remains that in the twilight of his career he may be unable to add to his record 13 Grand Slam singles titles.

Melbourne Park will see the 30-year-old make his 49th Grand Slam bow.

He first appeared in the Australian Open in 1989, and has won the event twice - in 1994 and 1997.

2001 was the first year that one of the game's all-time greats finished without a Grand Slam title.

That will be motivation enough, and, as long as his body is willing, the rest of the field know that you discount Sampras at your peril.