Robredo joins the star cast for Dubai

Dubai: Elegant Spaniard Tommy Robredo is the latest big name to join the star-studded line-up for this month's Dubai Tennis Championships, joining compatriot Rafael Nadal, world number one Roger Federer and Australian Open quarter-finalist Nikolay Davydenko.

The 24-year old from Barcelona has recently come off the most successful season of his career, which saw him reach the top 10, claim the Tennis Masters title in Hamburg and a further title in the Swedish seaside town of Bastad, reach the final in front of his home crowd in Barcelona and qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"At the beginning of the year my goal was to try and win two tournaments and to get into the top 10," said Robredo.

"After winning Hamburg, everything changed. I was nearly sure I was going to finish in the top 10 - then why not try to make another goal? And that was to try and finish in the top eight and be in the Tennis Masters Cup for the first time in my career."

Robredo has continued his winning ways in 2007, reaching the final of the Hopman Cup mixed team event, the Auckland final and the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Now he is set to try and snatch the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open title from fellow-Spaniard Nadal.

Play begins at the Dubai Tennis Centre on February 19 with champion Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova headlining the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event, and continues on February 26 when Rafael Nadal begins his title defence alongside Roger Federer.