The XL Bermuda Open will have one of the best fields ever when it begins later this month.

With former Roland Garros winner Gaston Gaudio confirmed along with American Robby Ginepri, the tournament organisers are looking forward to an exciting week of tennis.

With the likes of young American John Isner, and Australian Greg Young, also competing, the event is expected to be one of the closest in years.

Gaudio, who won the French Open in 2004, damaged his ankle last year, and has spent the past 12 months making a comeback. A clay court specialist, he was once number five in the world, but is now ranked outside the top 100.

Ginepri, a former world number 15 now ranked 89, has won a tour event in Indianapolis, and is best known for a titanic battle with Andre Agassi in the semi-finals of the US Open in 2005.

"Gaudio approached us a couple of months ago about playing in the tournament," Maribeth Anderson, the tournament manager, said.

"It's a great way for him to get his ranking back up. He hurt his ankle and this is all part of his comeback. It is better for him to play on the Challenger Tour, get some matches under his belt, and improve his ranking, than go out in the first round somewhere."

The strength of the field highlights the growing stature of the tournament - just as important to a young player's education, as to the return to form of more senior professionals.

"As well as helping players to get their ranking back up, the most famous example being Agassi, our main focus is to have the guys who are on their way up. In the past we've had the likes of Andy Roddick, James Blake and Patrick Rafter all play here, and they've never looked back.

"This year John Isner (currently ranked 84 in the world) is a great example of that. He has a bigger presence on the hard courts, but it will be a good experience for him. Of course, we also have Greg Jones, who is an exciting young talent and certainly one to watch for the future.

"It's one of the best fields we've ever had, it's going to be a very exciting tournament."

Once again Bermuda will be represented in the qualfying rounds of the competition by the Island's top tennis player, Andy Bray.

He has been handed a wild card but won't know until after 9 p.m. next Friday night the name of his first opponent.