Seven players from inside the world?s top 100 will be in Bermuda next month for the XL Bermuda Open.

Although neither of last year?s finalists Tomas Zib nor Kristof Vliegen are returning ? nor crowd favourite Juan Pablo Brzezicki ? there is still a strong field for the $100,000 annual tournament, with former doubles winner Paul Goldstein topping the field.

The world?s 64th-ranked player, who claimed the 2001 title here with Andy Roddick, will be on his fifth visit to the Coral Beach clay and is currently enjoying the best year of his career.

Also returning to Bermuda is American Vince Spadea. Spadea, ranked 79 was the beaten finalist in 2002, going down to eventual champion Flavio Saretta. The 13-year pro has also claimed the scalps of Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, Roddick and Pete Sampras in his ten years of finishing in the top 100.

The second-highest ranking is 71, that of Gilles Muller of Luxemburg. The Bermuda debutant was the Grand Slam conqueror of Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and Roddick in the US Open.

The event, which also sees the return of last year?s top seed Kevin Kim ? now ranked 122 in the world ? American Brian Vahaly, France?s Antony Dupuis and Czech star Ivo Minar.

The event, which will also feature wildcard Mark Philippoussis, begins on April 17 after two days of qualifying which will feature local wildcards Andrew Bray and James Collieson.

There are four qualifying spots available.