MARK Hilton believes that this coming week's Hastings Direct National Tennis Championships at Bolton Arena are "wide open".

The tenacious left hander from Cheshire may not be the biggest player in the tournament or possess the most powerful armoury, but he believes this could be his year.

For 21-year-old Hilton the event, which takes place between Monday and Saturday, will mark his fourth attempt at the title, which has so far eluded him.

In 1998, still a junior, he reached the semi finals, where he had an epic encounter with Lancashire's Barry Cowan.

In 1999 he went a stage further, this time losing in the final to Lee Childs from Somerset.

Last year he reached the quarter finals where he was stopped by the Hertfordshire giant, Arvind Parmar.

But going into the Championships on the back of his best form yet, Hilton said: "I always play well when it comes to nationals. It's a very important title for everybody to win."

On paper Hilton certainly looks like a favourite. His consistent form in recent months has netted him futures titles at Bath and Sunderland, and he has reached a further two semi finals at Glasgow and Jersey.

"The last few months I've had some good results, I'm enjoying it more and playing well," he added.

"I think that this year it is anyone's for the taking. It really is wide open this year, and I think there are six or seven players who could win it.

"Martin Lee, Arvind Parmar, Jamie Delgado, Luke Milligan, Alex Bogdanovic and David Sherwood all have a chance."

Hilton has already won both national junior crowns, and success at Bolton next week would make him the first man from the north of England to win the title.

"I won both junior titles at 16 and 18, and I came very close to winning the senior prize two years ago," he added.

"It would be good to be the first winner from the north, but there are some other good players up here like David Sherwood coming through who have to be good contenders."

The ticket prices at the Bolton Arena range from £4 to £8 on finals day.

Concession prices are available, and once again the Kids Go Free scheme is on offer to adults buying a full priced ticket. The ticket hot-line number is 01204 488178.

Hastings Direct's £400,000, three-year deal with the Lawn Tennis Association covers 25 British Tour events throughout the year, with an additional five junior events in southern England.