Kyle Edmund has confirmed his participation in the Fever-Tree Championships at the Queen's Club in June, opening up the tantalising possibility of a head-to-head battle for the British number one spot with Andy Murray.
World number 26 Edmund and last year's defending champion Feliciano Lopez were confirmed in the line-up this week, which will also include Marin Cilic, Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov.
It adds up to an eventful few days for the tournament, with Fever-Tree being named the new sponsor after Aegon's association with the event concluded last year.
The appearance of British players is always exciting for the home crowd, but there will be extra attention paid to Edmund now he is British number one. Having reached the Australian Open semi-finals in January, the 23-year-old will be seeking to prove to fans back home that his run was no fluke, and that he will be a genuine contender for the big prizes in the years to come.
Speaking about his appearance, Edmund said: "The tournament is one of the best of the year with so much history. With Wimbledon just around the corner I really want to see what I can do on the grass. The transition to grass is always a challenge, but I think I'm getting better at it.
"I've got another year of experience on the tour and this is an opportunity for me to put that on the court."
Edmund's game is widely regarded as being most suited to clay, but with the best player on that surface - Rafael Nadal - also taking part this year it will offer those who prefer the red dirt an opportunity to get used to the lush green surface.
For Nadal, it will be a chance to build up form after a series of early exits in recent Wimbledons. The Spaniard will recall how he won at the Queen's Club in 2008 and went on to secure the first of his two triumphs at the All England Club in the following fortnight.
Murray is another of the players who has done the Queens-Wimbledon double, completing the feat twice, so much may be read into how Edmund plays ahead of the Grand Slam on the other side of London.
So far Edmund has a modest record at the Queen's Club. In 2013 he lost in the first round to Russian Gregor Zemlja and did not feature at all in the 2014 and 2015 tournaments. However, in 2016 Edmund had an impressive run to the quarter finals, beating Gilles Simon and giving Andy Murray a run for his money before the Scot finally won 6-4 3-6 6-1.
Last year brought another first round disappointment, this time against talented Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov, but memories of his 2016 run will surely encourage the Yorkshireman this year.
Of course, there is no guarantee the two Britons will meet, but the growing interest in Edmund's fortunes will be combined by close scrutiny of Murray's form as he returns to the court after hip surgery.
Commenting on his Facebook site as public tickets went on sale for the tournament, Murray posted a video of the most recent of his record five triumphs at the Queen's Club, commenting: "Working hard to be back for this one, love the The Queen’s Club Championships. Hopefully see you all in June."
Edmund is now the British number one thanks to Murray's recent inactivity, but if the two should meet again in west London this June, it could be an exciting head-to-head battle for the British number one spot.
Image: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images from Keith Prowse subscription