TOR CHITTINAND

Five more French players have confirmed they will join compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the US$576,000 ATP Thailand Open tennis event next month.

Young star Gael Monfils and veterans Sebastien Grosjean, Fabrice Santoro, Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut have all signed up to compete in the event at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from September 21-28.

World number 33, Monfils and no 70 Grosjean will be making their first appearances at the Thailand Open. Monfils who is regarded as one of the most exciting players in the game has enjoyed a great year by reaching the semi-finals at the French Open and the quarter finals at the Beijing Olympics.

The 21-year-old was named ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2005 and has enjoyed wins over some of the game's best players including Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Richard Gasquet and Nikolay Davydenko.

Grosjean is one of the veterans and most popular players on the ATP Tour. He has won four ATP titles and reached another nine finals and in 2002 was ranked No 4 in the world.

World No 60 Fabrice Santoro was given the nickname ''The Magician'' by Pete Sampras because of the amazing shots he is able to play. He has won six ATP titles including last month at Newport.

Julien Benneteau, ranked No 56, and Nicolas Mahut, ranked No 83, will both be returning to the Thailand Open for the second time. Benneteau last competed in 2006 and Mahut will be remembered by Thai fans as one half of the doubles team defeated by the Ratiwatana brothers in last year's final.

''The French players are renowned for their flair and their matches are sure to be crowd pleasers,'' said BEC-Tero Managing Director Brian L. Marcar. Tickets are available at 300 baht and are available at all Thaiticketmajor outlets or by calling 02-262-3456. A small number of VIP Boxes are also still available.