Anna Kournikova last night confirmed that she will return to Eastbourne from June 18-24.

The Russian hopes to give herself a belated birthday present by winning the Devonshire Park title at the fourth attempt.

Kournikova, who will be 20 just 11 days before the start of the Britannic Asset Management International Championships, has reached the semi-finals twice before making the quarters last year.

The 1997 Wimbledon semi-finalist will be will be joined by French ace Amelie Mauresmo, who has reached the fourth round of the French and US Opens but has yet to make an impression on grass.

Martina Navratilova, a multi-champion at the Sussex event, will come back to the courts in the doubles for the second successive year.

Co-Championship director John Feaver said: "Eastbourne will be the place to be."

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