Stella unveils its strongest field

The Wimbledon warm-up Stella, Artois Championships unveiled its strongest field yesterday headed by defending champion Andy Roddick.

For the first time since the tournament began at London's Queen's Club in 1979, every direct acceptance into the main singles draw will be ranked inside the world's top 100.

Roddick, champion at the grasscourt event in 2004 and 2003, is joined at the top of the field by three-times champion and former Wimbledon winner Lleyton Hewitt. Home hopes will once again be carried by Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.

"Lleyton, Andy and Tim are joined by an outstanding crop of young European players headed by 2004 Wimbledon semi-finalist Mario Ancic and Richard Gasquet," tournament director Ian Wight said yesterday.

Gasquet became only the second player in eight months to defeat runaway world number one Roger Federer when the pair met in Monte Carlo two weeks ago. The Frenchman went on to reach the semi-finals.

Final's day at Queen's Club will also feature a special challenge match between former Wimbledon champions John McEnroe and Boris Becker.

The match will be staged to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Becker's big breakthrough when he won first the Stella and then Wimbledon as a 17-year-old.