DOB: 03.04.1976 Nationality: French World Ranking: 32 Australian Open record: 2001 :: second round 2000 :: fourth round 1999 :: n/a 1998 :: semi-final 1997 :: n/a

After his last visit to Australia the Frenchman was the toast of his homeland.

Escude set his country up for a famous Davis Cup win on the first day when he beat Lleyton Hewitt, before wrapping up the match in the decisive fifth rubber against Wayne Arthurs.

A natural left-hander, the 25-year-old was trained from childhood to play right-handed.

He must enjoy the Australian air as his best Grand Slam performance came at Melbourne in 1998 when he reached the semi-finals, having come back from two sets down, three times in the tournament - a Grand Slam first.