SOUTHAMPTON'S Chris Wilkinson has been seeded number six for next week's national tennis finals at Telford.

Wilkinson was number one seed last year but was knocked out in the first round by eventual champion Danny Sapsford.

Since then the former British number one has retired from the full-time professional circuit.

Wilkinson is joined in the main draw by fellow Hampshire player Iain Bates, from Basingstoke.

Other Hampshire players Nick Weal, Craig Longland and Elliott Wood have all entered the qualifying event.

Weal reached last year's final but was beaten 7-5 in the third set by Sapsford. He is currently ranked only 40 in Britain. Wilkinson is at number eight in the British list and Bates is ranked 20.

Wilkinson, Weal and Bates are playing in the Girobank tour event at Sheffield this week to brush up on their technique for the National Championships.

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