Age: 24
Lives: Monte Carlo
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand slam titles: One (US Open 2000)
Record at Wimbledon: 2002-second round, 2001-quarter-finals, 2000-second round, 1998-first round
A giant of a man. No player on the tour hits the ball as powerfully as Safin, nor can they intimidate opponents the way the Russian can when in form.
His annihilation of Pete Sampras in the 2000 US Open final was one of the most ruthless performances in years and Safin undoubtedly has the game to win tennis's most glittering prize.
He is far less erratic and emotional than in previous years but a question mark still hangs over his mental state.
Safin was superb in reaching the final of the Australian Open this year but ran out of steam in the title showdown, offering little resistance to Federer.