BRIGHTEST STARS HEADING FOR PRIORY.

THE AEGON Classic finally gets under way tomorrow with some of the world's best players vying for the prestigious Wimbledon warm up title.

Whilst Jelena Dokic had to pull out mid-week due to a back injury sustained at Roland Garros, headliner Maria Sharapova who has won the tournament on two previous occasions will join Australia's Samantha Stosur, a surprise French Open semi-finalist along with the likes of Jie Zheng and Aleksandra Wozniak who are all within the world's top 25.

The tournament takes place throughout the week and Chief Executive of the Edgbaston Priory Robert Bray believes the club are in great shape for a successful event.

"Everything has come together nicely. The grounds are fantastic, the courts look superb and the stadium is built," said Bray "We have bought the main stand closer to the court. Before there was quite a gap so in terms of watching the tennis it will be fantastic as you'll be right on top of the players. It will really suit the venue as it has always been an intimate tournament, so I think now the public will be delighted." Whilst the qualifying rounds are fi- nalised this weekend, the likelihood is that Britons Anne Keothavong, Melanie South, Katie O'Brien and Elena Baltacha will fly the flag for the home crowd in what could be a real breakthrough year for the Brits: "There's quite a few of us who are now really starting to push the boundaries," said Scotland's Elena Baltacha.

"Anne is now top 50, Mel popped into top 100 and hopefully I can push through as well. We haven't had that in the last few years so everything is much more positive," said Elena.

Britain's No.4 Katie O'Brien added: "Women's tennis has had a lot of stick over the last few years but there is a lot to be excited about. " Tickets are available on 0844 581 1331 or www.theticketfactory.com