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DAVID NALBANDIAN
No.8 seed
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FACTFILE
DOB: 01.01.1982
Nationality: Argentine
World ranking: 8
Roland Garros record
2002:: third round
2001:: n/a
2000:: n/a
1999:: n/a
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Nalbandian made the breakthrough last year and did enough to suggest he could be a serious contender for Grand Slam titles in the next few years.
The highlight was a hugely unexpected run to the final at Wimbledon, which was arguably the most remarkable performance by any player last year.
He was a virtual unknown to the general public and went into the tournament regarded as just another promising baseliner.
But Nalbandian demonstrated a baseline game with the kind of power off both sides that very few can match, and a forehand that bears comparison with that of Juan Carlos Ferrero.
There had already been signs that the Argentine was capable of producing something special.
He won his first title on the main ATP tour on clay in Uruguay at the end of 2001, and another followed in Portugal two months before Wimbledon