The eagerly-awaited XL Open will begin tomorrow with what looks set to be a record turn-out.

Organisers are expecting to have to play a 32-man qualifying tournament this weekend, with players facing up to three games on the Coral Beach courts to earn a place in the main draw on Monday.

Stars with the racquet are pouring on to the Island ahead of the Challenger event which, due to its exotic Island location, is one of the favourite stops on the Tour for many players.

A number are already in Bermuda getting used to the Coral Beach surface but practice time will be scarce today after yesterday?s rain wiped out many players? preparation.

Bermudian James Collieson, back from a tough week of Davis Cup action in Costa Rica, will take to the court tomorrow for the qualifiers alongside a large number of overseas athletes all scrambling to make this evening?s deadline to get into the qualifying tournament.

Aside from the main draw, at least 25 players are already down to play in either the qualifiers or the doubles, and if more than 16 are here for the qualifiers, then organisers will have to revert to as 32-man draw for the four spots in Monday?s main event.

There may be a number of byes if not all the slots are filled, but some players may have to squeeze in three games over the weekend ? with shoe-horning some games into Monday morning always a possibility.

Entrance is free over the weekend, and organisers are expecting large crowds to turn out and watch some of the sport?s up-and-coming players battle it out for the right to take on top 150 players in the main event ? including big name Greg Rusedski, a player capable of beating the world?s best on his day. The first balls will be struck in anger at 9 a.m. tomorrow ? play begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

As well as Rusedski, one of the other bigger names in the draw is the 2001 champion Jose Acasuso, a player who has beaten such luminaries as Marat Safin, Carlos Moya and Andy Roddick on the Tour ? he has also reached the second round of the Australian and French Opens.

Another player returning to the event is Mike Russell, who has competed here three times before, who has received a wildcard after an injury-hit year. ?I love the beach which is why I always love coming to play in Bermuda, plus everyone is so nice,? he said ahead of his weekend arrival.

Meanwhile Bermudian Stephen Alger is returning to the Island to take part in an exhibition match on Thursday night against tennis Legend Mikael Pernfors.

Alger, who once played alongside tournament director Alec Anderson on the National Under 21 Tour around the US, was a bronze medallist at the CAC Games with Billy Way Jr. and was ranked in the top ten on the Men?s Over 45 circuit at the back end of last year.

A junior clinic will be held on Sunday from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Coral Beach. Select overseas professionals will be joining Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president David Lambert to give expert tuition to some of Bermuda?s young, budding, tennis enthusiasts ? about 100 juniors are expected to take part.