DOB: 27.01.1974 Nationality: Romanian World Ranking: 21 Previous Wimbledon results: 2001 :: first round 2000 :: third round 1999 :: first round 1998 :: first

Pavel crafted his game in Germany as a teenager but now lives in Monte Carlo.

He scored a sensational Tennis Masters Series win in Montreal last July, beating Xavier Malisse, Hicham Arazi, Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and Pat Rafter on his way to the title.

His great strength on court comes from his sniping backhand.

He prefers to play his tennis from the back of the court and is rarely put off his stride by opponents attacking at the net although he could not handle Greg Rusdedski doing just that to him in the first round here last year.