Cox eyes Grosjean giantkilling in Nottingham

 BRITISH number 12 Dan Cox is desperate for a giant-killing as he squares off against former Wimbledon semi-finalist Sebastian Grosjean at the AEGON Trophy tennis in Nottingham on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old received a wildcard entry into the tournament and, citing grass as his best surface, is convinced he has enough strings to his bow to upset the former world number four.

Grosjean, a winner in Nottingham nine years ago, is playing his first tournament since shoulder surgery in December and Cox is adamant he can take advantage of his opponent's lack of match practice.

"I love playing on grass courts because I feel I can move well on it," said Cox. "It's a good experience to play against a former top ten player and I'm going to give it my best shot.

"It will be very interesting to see how far I can go against him. He hasn't played for a while and I think that could work in my favour."

Following his Davis Cup debut against Ukraine in March, British number seven Chris Eaton has also received a wildcard entry and faces South Africa's world number 146 Kevin Anderson.

Cox and Eaton are joined by Colin Fleming and Dan Evans as well as British number two Alex Bogdanovic, who is up against a qualifier in the opening round.

In the women's event Melanie South, Elena Baltacha and Georgie Stoop all gained direct entry into the women's draw, as did British number two Katie O'Brien, who is the fifth seed.

They are joined by Jade Curtis, Tara Moore and Naomi Cavaday after the trio all achieved impressive victories in the final round of qualifying on Sunday.

"It's so good to see three British girls coming through qualifying to the main draw of an event like this," said LTA Head of Women's Tennis Nigel Sears.

"I thought that Jade and Tara did magnificently to beat such experienced players and record perhaps their best-ever wins and it was nice to see Naomi return to such good form."

But if one of the Brits is to lift the trophy they will have to do it the hard way.

Number one seed, Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer comes to Nottingham off the back of two WTA tour victories last month and the draw also includes Michaella Krajicek - sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard and a quarter-finalist herself at the All England Club two years ago.

* Leading life assurance and pensions company AEGON  is lead partner of British Tennis  and is backing the sport at all levels, from grass roots to world class tennis events.  For tickets and further information visit www.lta.org.uk