Philippoussis, Fish and Lopez Receive First Three Stella Artois Wild Cards

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Former champion and Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis is one of three prominent players that were today awarded wild cards for the Stella Artois Championships that take place June 12-18 at the Queen’s Club in London.

Philippoussis, who won the Stella Artois title in 1997, was joined by resurgent American Mardy Fish and 2005 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Feliciano Lopez in receiving invitations to the event that traditionally launches the grass court season.

They join a line-up that will be stronger than any field in the 27-year history of the event. Six of the world’s top ten have entered, with World No.2 Rafael Nadal, defending champion Andy Roddick, three-time winner Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi among the names scheduled to appear. British trio Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray will also compete.

For Philippoussis, the event marks an opportunity to regain the form that saw him reach the Wimbledon final three years ago. With one of the most powerful serves in tennis, the Australian will always be a threat on grass, as he proved when he beat Goran Ivanisevic in the 1997 Stella Artois final.

Fish is another man on the comeback trail. The American, who reached No.17 in the rankings in 2004, underwent surgery to a left wrist injury last year, and only played three matches between the French Open in May and the end of the year. This year he has fought back strongly, winning the title on clay in Houston. He has grass court pedigree as well, reaching the Nottingham final in 2003.

Lopez enjoyed the best year of his career last year. His swinging, left-handed serve is perfectly suited to grass court tennis, as he proved in reaching the last eight at Wimbledon. Victories over Marat Safin and Mario Ancic were registered en route before the Spaniard finally fell to former champion Lleyton Hewitt in three close sets.

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