Giant-Killer and Young Gun Receive First Artois Wild Cards

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Igor Andreev and Marin Cilic are the first players to be awarded wild cards into the Artois Championships, which begin in just under three weeks at The Queen’s Club in London.

Andreev was the last man to beat Rafael Nadal on clay before the Spaniard commenced his record-breaking 81-match winning streak on the surface.

The Russian also knocked Andre Agassi out of the Artois Championships on his grass-court debut in 2004.

Cilic is an 18-year-old Croatian player of whom big things are expected.

Standing 6’5” (1.95m), ranked No.114 and boasting a huge serve, he shares a lot in common with another former Artois Championships favourite, Goran Ivanisevic.

Ivanisevic was a finalist at The Artois Championships in 1997, and he was delighted to hear the news that his countryman had received a wild card into the event.

“It is good news,” said Ivanisevic. “I practiced with Cilic last week and he is really improving. His game should do well on grass.”

For Andreev, the prospect of returning to the scene of his first major success is a welcome one. In 2004, he defeated Agassi 4-6 7-6(2) 7-6(3) in the second round before bowing out to Lleyton Hewitt in the quarterfinals.

Since then, the Russian has suffered some quite horrific injuries. Last year, he required eight months out of the game after undergoing surgery to his left knee.

He returned to the game in October 2006 and has made steady progress, reaching third rounds in Monte Carlo and Hamburg, and he is grateful for the opportunity to compete at the Artois Championships, 11-17 June.

“In advance I want to thank the Tournament Director,” he said.

“It means a great deal to get this wild card and I will do my very best with it. I was out of the Tour for eight months. Little bit by little bit I am getting stronger, and it’s nice to be back on the Tour.

“The 2004 Artois Championships was my first time on grass and an unbelievable experience. I played Andre Agassi in the second round and he was my idol when I was a kid. It was a very special time and unbelievable to beat him. I have very good memories of this event and I can’t wait to be there again.”

Andreev and Cilic join a star-studded field that includes Nadal, former World No.1’s Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin, British duo Andy Murray and Tim Henman, and Top Ten players Ivan Ljubicic, Novak Djokovic and Fernando Gonzalez.

The doubles draw will feature the Bryan Brothers – Mike and Bob, and Andy Murray’s brother, Jamie.