Maria Sharapova, dubbed the new Anna Kournikova of the tennis circuit, will make her debut at the Hastings Direct International Ladies Championships at Devonshire Park next month.

Sharapova, 17, is blessed with stunning looks but is rapidly proving she has more substance on court than her fellow Russian.

While Kournikova has become better known for her off-court promotional activities, Sharapova has fast-tracked her way into the world top 20.

Sharapova, who reached the fourth round on her Wimbledon debut last year, is looking forward to her first visit to Eastbourne for the championships (June 14-19).

She said: "I am new on the tour and I haven't been to all the tournaments so I'm excited about seeing Eastbourne.

"I love England, the culture and the traditions, and I love the thought of playing on grass. It's my favourite surface and suits my powerful game very well."

She will be joined at Devonshire Park by compatriot Anastasia Myskina, the world No. 5, who was a beaten finalist at Eastbourne two years ago.

Myskina, 23, said: "Eastbourne is really good preparation for Wimbledon."

Also playing are fellow Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Bovina and Dinara Safina, Belgian Kim Clijsters and Serbian Jelana Dokic.