With nearly $7m in earnings and a highest world ranking of eight, Mark Philippoussis is set to be one of the stars of this year?s XL Bermuda Open.

Although currently ranked at 161 in the world, the big serving, giant Aussie ? nicknamed the Scud ? is hoping to begin his comeback trail in Bermuda in April after a string of injuries have hampered his game.

Philippoussis, beaten in the 1998 US Open final by former Bermuda resident Patrick Rafter, has claimed some impressive scalps in his 12-year pro career, including victories over Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Michael Chang, Jim Courier and Tim Henman.

The 6ft 5ins Melbourne-born star, who also reached the 2003 Wimbledon final and has won a Davis Cup with Australia, is the first of the big names to be released for the annual $100,000 Challenger tournament taking place at Coral Beach on April 15-23.

?I?ve never been to Bermuda but have always heard great things about the island and the XL Bermuda Open,? said Philippoussis, who has ten ATP titles to his name.

?The tournament has become a favourite stop on the tour for a lot of the guys leading into the clay court season. I?m looking forward to visiting a new place and playing my best tennis.?

The XL Open has long attracted a host of top players, either youngsters on their way up such as Andy Roddick and Michael Chang, to big names looking to work their way back up the rankings like Greg Rusedski, Nicolas Lapentti and Thomas Enqvist.

Organisers have also confirmed that the tournament will once again feature exhibition events including the Champions Challenge on Friday, April 21 and the Legends exhibition match featuring Roy Emerson (all-time record holder of Grand Slam titles) and others on finals Sunday, April 23.

Last year?s final was won by Czech Tomas Zib, who triumphed in a rain-delayed final over Kristof Vliegen of Belgium.