DOB: 15.11.1973 Nationality: Spanish World Ranking: 20 Australian Open record: 2001 :: first round 2000 :: second round 1999 :: first round 1998 :: first round 1997 :: n/a

Portas has a dismal record at the Australian Open, and his stats only improve marginally when other Grand Slam events are taken into account.

In the past five years the Spaniard has appeared in 17 Grand Slam tournaments and is still waiting to make the weekend.

But the 28-year-old is a late starter and only won his first title - the Hamburg Masters - last year, so hope springs eternal.

He has had his moments, most notably in knocking Gustavo Kuerten out in the first round in Melbourne two years ago.