British number one Tim Henman could face Greg Rusedski in the opening round of the Samsung Open at the Brighton Centre next month.

Rusedski has tumbled down the Champions Race rankings following injury problems and lack of form and is likely to be unseeded for the event from November 20-26.

Brighton may be crucial to Henman's chances of securing a place in the Masters Cup for the world's top eight players in Lisbon the following week.

Henman, who won his first ATP Tour event in two years last weekend in Vienna, is currently tenth in the Race.

"Our event could give him the points he needs to clinch eighth spot," said Open spokesperson Colin Dyer.

The ATP 32-draw event will also include controversial American Jeff Tarango who was defaulted at Wimbledon five years ago. Tarango was also involved in a bust-up with Jan-Michael Gambill this year. He refused to shake Gambill's hand at the end of their match following a line-call dispute.

French trio Arnaud Clement, a US Open quarter-finalist, Fabrice Santoro and Jerome Golmard, all inside the top 40, have also entered.

Surprise Wimbledon semi-finalist Vladimir Voltchkov is in the field with former All England finalists Cedric Pioline and Goran Ivanisevic.

Meanwhile, Henman has blasted the Lawn Tennis Association's commitment to bringing young players into professional tennis.

He said: "This country needs to put greater emphasis on the tennis pyramid, adding more kids to the base of the structure in order for Britain to have a bigger chance of producing the next Tim Henman or Greg Rusedski."

l Tickets for the Samsung Open are available on 0870 900 9100.