Former Eastbourne finalist Anastasia Myskina will return to Devonshire Park next month.

The 2004 French Open champion, beaten in the title-decider by Chanda Rubin three years ago, today revealed she would enter the Hastings Direct Championships from June 13 to 18.

She hopes to rediscover the form that took her to world No.2 last September after a spluttering start to 2005.

Injury and personal problems - a close relative has been seriously ill - have hampered her progress after an exhausting schedule of 109 matches last year.

But her year hit a low point on court four days ago when she became the first defending ladies champion at Roland Garros in the open area to lose in the first round.

The Russian, 23, struggling with a shoulder problem, lost 6-4 4-6 6-0 to Marta Marrero (Spain) and hinted at a crisis of confidence.

She said afterwards: "Right now, it's really difficult to understand what I have to do on court. When the ball comes to me, I don't know what I have to do, where I have to put the ball. I have no confidence at all right now."

Eastbourne, though, are happy to see Myskina back.

John Feaver, joint tournament director with Gavin Fletcher, said: "We are delighted that Anastasia has overcome most of her recent injury problems and we look forward to her return."

Myskina joins a star-studded field which includes Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Amelie Mauresmo, Daniela Hantuchova and Rubin.