Robson has a wildcard for the main draw Wimbledon

Laura Robson, the 2008 Wimbledon junior girls' singles champion, has signed up to play at the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament.

The 15-year-old world junior number two will use the event as her final warm-up before the All England Championships.

Robson will become the youngest player to compete at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis, after being handed a wildcard.

"I have heard it's a great place to practise before Wimbledon and a great event to get involved in," she said.

"I know that Caroline Wozniacki has played the event in previous years," said Robson.

Danish world number nine Wozniacki debuted in Liverpool as a relative unknown in 2006.

The fact that she is coming to play here in Calderstones is a great tribute to the event Tournament director Anders Borg

She followed up her maiden victory in Calderstones Park with the junior girls' singles title at Wimbledon later that summer.

Robson added: "I am really excited about making the trip to Liverpool, I've never been before, it's always great to discover a new place".

The event, which has replaced Nottingham in the calendar, is due to run from 17 to 21 June.

This year the men's draw includes French Open finalist Robin Soderling, while the ladies' draw includes rising Portuguese starlet Michelle de Britto.

Tournament director Anders Borg believes the capture of Robson confirms the growing importance of the event.

"The fact that she is coming to play here in Calderstones is a great tribute to the event," he said.

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