World number two Ana Ivanovic is set to play at this year's Eastbourne International as part of her build-up to Wimbledon, tournament organisers announced.

The Serbian starlet, a runner-up at the French Open in 2007 and at the Australian Open earlier this year, will be making her debut at the £305,000 grass court tournament.

Ivanovic reached the quarter-finals at the S'Hertogenbosch grass event last year before making the last four at the All England Club.

"Eastbourne is great preparation for Wimbledon," the 20-year-old said. "There's a very strong field this year including former Wimbledon champions Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport - so there will be lots of tough matches.

"I really enjoy playing on grass having reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon last year."

Justine Henin beat Mauresmo in last year's Eastbourne final, but the 25-year-old Belgian shocked the tennis world last week by announcing her retirement from the sport while still ranked number one in the world.

In addition to Ivanovic, Mauresmo and Davenport, the field for Eastbourne includes Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, who eliminated Henin in the semi-finals of last year's Wimbledon Championships.

"Eastbourne is a very enjoyable place to be and it's a good event to start my grass court season. Other players tell me that they always enjoy playing at Eastbourne," Ivanovic said.

"The facilities are great and of course it's very close to London - which is good because most times we have to travel very far to the next event."

The Eastbourne International will be held from June 14-21 and air on British Eurosport.

British Eurosport is available in the UK on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521, Eurosport 2 is on Sky channel 411 and Virgin Media channel 525.

Jeremy Stahl / Eurosport