Three players from inside the world's top 100 will be in Bermuda next month for the XL Bermuda Open.

Although neither of last year's finalists, Mariano Zabaleta or Frank Dancevic, have been confirmed to return, there is still a strong field for the $100,000 annual tournament with the USA's rising star John Isner topping the bill.

The world's 94th-ranked player has only been on the professional tour for six months and has already claimed the scalps of England's Tim Henman, Germany's Tommy Haas and France's Gael Monfils en route to the Washington DC ATP final.

Tournament director Alec Anderson said: "John (Isner) advanced to the third round at the US Open before losing to world number one Federer. He had a consistent fall on the challenger circuit where he reached a final and two semi-finals.

"Overall, John raised his world ranking nearly 600 spots in 2007 and we are very excited that he will be coming to the Island."

Among the headliners also set to grace the green clay of Coral Beach Club for the showpiece's 15th anniversay are Argentine Carlos Berlocq, ranked 78th in the world, and 86th-ranked Donald Young of the US.

Berlocq won a career high 11 ATP matches, including a semi-final and two quarter-finals, during a prosperous 2007 while Young became the youngest player to finish in the top 100 last year and reached the third round of the US Open.

"We are presently in discussions with many players and will update the exciting news and player commitments as they become available," added Anderson.

"We will of course have our legends exhibition matches. At present we are expecting Johan Kriek, Mikael Pernfors and Roy Emerson."

The tournament has attracted many young players over the years who have gone onto bigger things such as Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian and James Blake.

One of last year's leading lights Sam Querrey, 19, has jumped to 48th in the world following his win in $436,000 Channel Open in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The Open will be played between April 21 and 27 with organisers hoping for more than 10,000 fans during the week from Bermuda and around the world. The action will also be beamed by TV into 50 million homes in the US, South America and Asia.

Tickets are available online at www.xlcapitalbermudaopen.bm or on sale at the Sportseller in the Washington Mall, Hamilton. For information on Box tickets contact 441-296-2554.