Cyril Saulnier

Began playing tennis at age six with his parents, Thierry and Christiane...Has one younger sister, Elodie...Hobbies include hunting and golf...Played soccer most of his childhood but began to take tennis seriously at 17...His childhood hero was countryman and 1983 Roland Garros champion Yannick Noah...Considers forehand as best shot and favorite surface is hard courts...Wife, Coralie (married July 6, 2000); daughter, Victoire (born June 25, 2001)...Coached by countryman Lionel Zimbler and fitness trainer is Jean Sanges.

In retirement, Cyril directs the Pro World Tennis Academy in Delray Beach, FL, offering coaching services and programs to players from all levels. Former Top 10 countryman Sebastien Grosjean also joined PWTA as a consultant.  

1999 – Made his ATP debut in his hometown of Marseille and lost to Rosset in three sets in 1st RD… Reached final at Greece #4 Futures… In August, captured his first Challenger title in Segovia (d. Bruguera)… Won his first ATP match in Moscow, defeating Novak in three sets before losing to Vacek in 2nd RD… Closed season with QF at Andorra Challenger… 

2000 – Qualified for an ATP best-tying seven tournaments, including two Grand Slam and three ATP Masters Series events… Defeated T. Johansson in 1st RD at Miami before losing to Philippoussis Qualified at US Open for second straight year and defeated Savolt for first Grand Slam victory before losing to No. 3 seed M. Norman in 2nd RD… 

2001 – Began year by reaching QF in Chennai… Reached final of Istanbul Challenger and SF at Segovia Challenger…Went 11-8 in Challengers… 

2002 – Qualified into eight main draw ATP level tournaments - second best in the ATP for year and one year after failing to qualify in all nine attempts… Reached QF in Moscow (l. to Kafelnikov)… 

2003 – Finished in Top 100 for first time at No. 87… Highlight of season came with first career ATP SF in Tokyo (d. Novak, l. to Schuettler)… Also qualified into five main draw events during year… Qualified into AMS Miami and reached 2nd RD (d. Ljubicic, l. to Roddick in third set tie-break)… Qualified into Wimbledon and defeated 2002 SF Malisse in 1st RD before losing to eventual finalist Philippoussis…Two weeks later, reached first QF of season at Newport (l. to B. Bryan)…

2004 – Finished a career-high No. 53 after winning a personal-best 28 matches during season… Reached back-to-back SF in Newport on grass (l. to Popp) and Los Angeles on hard (l. to Haas) and five QF on ATP circuit… Began season with 5-3 record through mid-February with QF showings in Adelaide and San Jose… Qualified for AMS Toronto and reached 3rd RD for first time at an AMS tournament (l. to J. Johansson)… Followed with QF in Washington (l. to eventual champion Hewitt)… Defeated Rusedski in five-set battle in 1st RD at US Open, coming through 76 in final set before losing to Kiefer in 2nd RD… In October, advanced to QF in Tokyo (l. to Hewitt) and finished season indoors with QF in St. Petersburg (l. to Beck) and 3rd RD at AMS Paris (l. to Soderling)… Compiled an 18-13 record on hard courts, 5-3 on carpet, 4-3 on grass, 1-4 on clay… Earned a career-high $353,745...

2005 -- The French veteran finished in Top 100 for third consecutive year after reaching his first career ATP final... Began season with 2nd RD showings in Adelaide and Auckland before 1st RD loss to Henman at Australian Open... In February and in second tournament advanced to first career final in San Jose... Defeated Novak, Zib, Spadea and Melzer before losing to Roddick... Following month, broke Top 50 for first time at No. 48... Best result on clay came at AMS Monte-Carlo, where he reached 2nd RD... Struggled on grass and North American hard courts, but reached 2nd RD in New Haven and US Open... In September, returned to Challenger circuit and won title in Orleans in native France (d. Mahut in F)... Later in month, reached QF in Ho Chi Minh and followed with 3rd RD in Tokyo... Finished season with 2nd RD in St. Petersburg (l. to Youzhny)... Struggled in tie-breaks (5-15) and went 11-15 on hard, 4-3 on carpet and 1-5 on clay.