By Gary Anderson

January 20 - World number one Shingo Kunieda will head to Rotterdam next month looking to defend his title ©Getty Images World number one Shingo Kunieda heads the list of star names confirmed for the World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam as the Japanese player looks to defend the title he won at last year's event.

Kunieda took the title after home favourite Maikel Scheffers was forced to pull out of the decider due to an elbow injury.

World number six Scheffers will be looking to make amends this year as he and Kunieda are joined by six more of the world's top ten players for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) One Series event in the Dutch city, due to take place from February 11 to 15.

World number two Stephane Houdet will also be in contention as he looks to add to the title he won in 2010, while winner in 2011 and 2012, Ronald Vink, who took bronze at London 2012, will be out to complete a hat-trick of victories.

Britain's Gordon Reid will also be in Rotterdam and the world number three is fast becoming one of the stars of the men's tour after a superb run of form of late has seen the 24-year-old secure singles titles in France and at last week's Sydney International Open.

Reid will be joined by compatriot Marc McCarroll in the 12-strong field, which also sees a wildcard entry for the topped ranked junior in the world, Alfie Hewett from Norwich.

Ronald Vink will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in Rotterdam next month ©Getty Images Ronald Vink will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in Rotterdam next month
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Tom Egberink completes the trio of Dutch players taking part, while Houdet will be joined by fellow French players, world number seven Michael Jeremiasz , world number nine Nicolas Peifer and world number 11 Frederic Cattaneo.

Belgium's Joachim Gerard rounds out the top quality field for the event at the Ahoy Arena which was first staged in 2009 and saw a home win for Robin Ammerlaan.

This year's competition will once again see four-time Paralympic gold medallist Esther Vergeer acting as tournament director; a role she has occupied every year since the inaugural event in 2009.

Before the action gets underway in Rotterdam however, all eyes will be on Melbourne as the Australian Wheelchair Tennis Open begins tomorrow.

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