Philippoussis given Stella wild card

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) Former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis has been handed a wild card entry to the Stella Artois Championships next month.

Organisers said the 29-year-old Australian, who won the grasscourt event at Queen's Club in London in 1997, had been invited to take part in the June 12-18 tournament together with American Mardy Fish and Spain's Feliciano Lopez.

Philippoussis was beaten by Roger Federer in the 2003 Wimbledon final and has slipped to 167 in the rankings due to a succession of injuries and poor form.

World number two Rafael Nadal of Spain is scheduled to make his debut at the pre-Wimbledon event.

American defending champion Andy Roddick, compatriot Andre Agassi and Australian three times winner Lleyton Hewitt are also in the field.

REUTERS PG PM1909