MORE players than ever before from inside the world's top 100 men have entered the third Aegon Ilkley Trophy, which is being held from June 17-25.

Leading the way for a tournament which has trebled its prize money to $150,000 is world No 71 Malek Jaziri.

The Tunisian, who was top seed in the inaugural event two years ago and has been as high as 47 in the world, is followed by four other players who have double-figure rankings.

Victor Estrella Burgos, from the Dominican Republic – a three-time winner of the Ecuador Open – is next up at 90 but, like Jaziri, has been inside the world's top 50.

Others with high rankings for a tournament that will again have the carrot of a Wimbledon wild card for the winner are Davis Cup player Norbert Gombos of Slovakia, Romania's Marius Copil and Evgeny Donskoy from Russia.

World No 93 Gombos was runner-up in the Neckar Cup in Germany last month, while Copil – ranked a place behind him – was a finalist in the 2016 Aegon Surbiton Trophy, losing out to Ilkley winner Yen Hsun-Lu.

Donskoy hit the headlines in February when he beat Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Championships after saving three match points.

However, the best-known male player at Ilkley is former world No 8 Jurgen Melzer.

The 36-year-old Austrian, who won the men's doubles at Wimbledon in 2010 and the US Open doubles in 2011 – both with Philipp Petzschner – and the 2011 mixed doubles at Wimbledon with his then wife Iveta Benesova, is ranked 137 and on the comeback from injury.

Charlie Maunder, general manager of Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, said: "The line-up of players for this year's tournament is seriously impressive.

"Add into this list, all of whom are ranked in the global top 150, the four wild cards – still to be announced – and those that enter the tournament main draw through qualifying and we're on track for another stunning championship."

A total of 109 male players have registered to take part, with 22 currently making the first cut-off.

The entry for the women's $100,000 tournament, which runs alongside the men's, will be confirmed this coming week.

Tickets can be purchased via www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-trophy-series/aegon-ilkley-trophy/tickets/