THE tennis player who said he hoped never to play in Jersey again after winning last year’s Caversham ATP Challenger will return to the Island this weekend to defend his title.

Frenchman Adrian Mannarino had hoped that his win over Andreas Beck in November would propel him into the big time, but ironically it is Beck who has progressed faster since the last competition.

Mannarino’s return to the Island for the Caversham ATP 50,000 euro Challenger, which starts at Les Ormes on Sunday, means he is hot favourite to retain the title, but he will face stiff competition from world No 9 Joachin Johansson – who has just returned to the game following injury – and other famous names including British Davis Cup squad members Chris Eaton, Colin Fleming and James Ward.

In the ITF Ladies’ $25,000 tournament, Guernsey’s Heather Watson, who plays her first game on Wednesday, is the only local name after being wild carded into the main draw.

• Picture: Guernsey’s Helen Watson is scheduled to play her first game on Wednesday