Ljubicic, Defending Champ Srichaphan Lead ATP Nottingham Field

The Croat, who has never reached a singles nor doubles final on grass at the ATP level, is joined among the seeds by Swede Thomas Johansson, Slovak Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty, French breakout teen Richard Gasquet, American serve-and-volleyer Taylor Dent still awaiting his European grasscourt breakthrough, Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, Belgian Olivier "The Roach" Rochus, and Max "The Beast" Mirnyi.

Early-round match-ups of interest are (1) Ljubicic in a potential second-rounder against Croat giant "Dr." Ivo Karlovic, (3) The Dominator vs. Robby "Baby Courier" Ginepri who stretched Tim Henman to three sets last week, (5) Dent vs. towering German Alexander "My Serve Has" Popp, and in a repeat of last week's Queen's match-up, (2) T.Johansson vs. Brit wildcard Andy Murray.

Other wildcards went to Brits Jonathan Marray and Alan MacKin, who square off in the first round.

Srichaphan is the defending champion, defeating the qualifier Johansson (winner in 2001) in last year's three-set final, with the two the only returning champs in the field.

Scheduled for Monday are (WC) Marray vs. (WC) MacKin in an all-Brit, (5) Dent vs. Popp, (3) Hrbaty vs. Ginepri, Zouhir vs. Beck, A.Martin vs. H.-T. Lee, (Q) Rettenmaier vs. Tipsarevic, Ventura vs. Berdych, Mello vs. (Q) Vacek, and Carlsen vs. (Q) Mankad.