General / Editor / 02 May 2007 /

Marat Safin is the latest big-name star to sign up for the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event at Queen's Club.

The tennis circuit moves to London for the grass-court season following the French Open with Betfair punters sure to make Roger Federer favourite to claim his fifth Wimbledon title.

The Artois Championships precedes events at SW19 and a host of the world's best players will be on display.

Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, along with British stars Andy Murray and Tim Henman will grace the tournament and now Safin has added his name to the list.

The 27-year-old has made no secret of his dislike for grass and has reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals just once - back in 2001 - but he is willing to give it another go and is keen to prepare as best he can for the world's most prestigious tournament.

Hewitt is returning to defend his title but the Australian's form has dipped in recent months and others may be favoured when the market opens nearer the June 11 start date.

Roddick appears rejuvenated this season and secured his first victory over Federer since 2003 at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, ahead of the Australian open.

Having won the title on three occasions, the popular US star cannot be ruled out and is sure to be near the head of the winner's market, with Federer choosing not to play the event.

Grass may not be Scottish starlet Murray's best surface but he is looking forward to playing in a tournament he enjoys.

"The Artois Championships in 2005 was only my second ATP event and it was great to win my first ATP level match," he said. "It's a great tournament."

The Artois tournament results will give Betfair punters an idea of who is in form heading into Wimbledon but whether anyone can halt Federer's charge on grass is open to question.

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