singles draw are set to add spice to next month's XL Capital Bermuda Open.

But neither defending champion Andrew Ilie nor the star draw of the past two years, Patrick Rafter, will play at Coral Beach this year.

Tournament director Alec Anderson said American stars Chris Woodruff and Justin Gimelstob, who have both represented their country, had vowed to play in the April 14-22 tournament.

And Bermuda's number one Davis Cup player James Collieson is all but certain to be granted a wild card entry straight into the first round proper.

Both Ilie and Rafter are ranked in the top 50 and are thus obliged by the ATP Tour to play in a Masters-Series event in Monte Carlo, which clashes with the Open.

Anderson said it was a pity the clash and the rules would deny Bermuda tennis fans a chance to see their resident superstar Rafter in action. And he vowed to make changes to avoid a repeat.

"I know for a fact that Pat Rafter would like to support the event, and it's a pity he will not be able to do it this year,'' said Anderson.

"And next year we will definitely seek a date which does not clash with Monte Carlo for that purpose.'' Collieson is set to make history. Local players have played in the qualifying rounds before, but never in the tournament's eight-year history has a Bermudian appeared in the main singles draw.

The significance for Collieson is that, win or lose, he is guaranteed one Association of Tennis Professionals Tour ranking point. That will give him a world ranking, which will allow him to automatically gain entry to the qualifying rounds of Satellite Tour events, on the lower level of the professional circuit.

Collieson, who is in Hilton Head, North Carolina, this week, playing in a major college tournament for the University of North Carolina, told The Royal Gazette two months ago that he had spoken with Anderson about the possibility of a wild card.

Anderson said: "I think I will probably give James Collieson a wild card.

First, we just have to make sure he has a proper plan and can show us what Satellite and Futures Tour events he intends to enter.

"Even though he may not be expected to do much in the tournament, he won't embarrass himself. He can rally with anyone in the world.

"Of course, there's a difference between hitting balls and winning matches, but the idea is to give him an ATP point and that will be a big boost for local tennis.'' The comments of Tour professionals who had hit with Collieson and Anderson's knowledge of his attitude and ability convinced the tournament director to give the 23-year-old his chance.

"James is very dedicated and I've heard positive comments from players like Grant Connell and Pat Rafter,'' said Anderson.

"I think it would be realistic for him to aim to get into the world's top 400. To go further it gets kind of mental, but he could get into that league with the right experience, coaching and work.'' Just two weeks ago, Woodruff defeated the most prolific Grand Slam winner of all time, Pete Sampras. And he also has a Canadian Open title to his name.

Gimelstob has partnered him in the US Davis Cup team.

And their fellow American James Blake, who played at Coral Beach last year, wants to return.

The field for the event will not be finalised until next week.