Nieminen turned professional in 2000

Former world number 13 Jarkko Nieminen heads the entry list for next week's Caversham ATP tournament in Jersey.

The 28-year-old from Finland peaked in the singles rankings in July 2006 but has since slipped to 122.

He will be joined in the tournament by Germany's current world number 63 Florian Mayer and number 78 Karol Beck, from Slovakia.

The Jersey Open is one of the last tournaments players can earn points at before next year's Australian Open.

Tournament director Hugh Raymond told BBC Jersey that he was excited about this year's event.

"There's quite a lot of bite to the event this year, from the top three (Nieminen, Beck and Mayer) to the Polish Davis Cup players, to last year's winner Daniel Evans. It's a huge event," he said.

The standard of the draw is so high we just hope we can fit him in Tournament director Hugh Raymond on Scott Clayton

There are 15 nationalities in the main draw, with the alternate draw made up from countries around the world.

And Raymond explained why he thought the tournament was proving so popular.

"The success of these tournaments is down to a committed team who make sure that all are made welcome as well, as taking part in a well run event at an excellent venue." he said.

Local interest will be in 15-year-old Scott Clayton who should be offered a spot in the 32-man qualifying draw.

Clayton, who won the 2008 Road to Wimbledon title, is one of the Channel Islands' best young players.

Raymond hopes Clayton can grab a spot in the qualifiers.

"The standard of the draw is so high we just hope we can fit him in," he added.

"He's done so well. He won a European event in the summer and the Road to Wimbledon last year, but it's a huge step up.

"On the other hand the experience and excitement is very much like Heather Watson, it's great for the Channel Islands."

Qualifying starts on Sunday with the main event scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

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