Elena Baltacha is planning to carry out a spot of giant-killing at Eastbourne next week.

Superstars like Kim Clijsters, Amelie Mauresmo, Anastasia Myskina, Daniela Hantuchova and defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova are among a starstudded field for the Hastings Direct International Championships at Devonshire Park.

But the bullish British No.1 feels she can roll any one of them over - providing it is early in the tournament.

Baltacha, given a wild card into the main draw for the first time, has already proved she can upset higher ranked players.

She stunned Amanda Coetzer, the former top-ten seed from South Africa, en route to the third round of Wimbledon three years ago on her Grand Slam debut.

She was eventually beaten by 2005 French Open semi-finalist Elena Likhovtseva, who is also at Eastbourne this year.

Twelve months later, Baltacha took former world No.4 Jelena Dokic to three sets at the All England Club.

Last year she gave Jennifer Capriati a run for her money at Wimbledon, losing 6-4 6-4, after defeating Marta Marrero in the opening round.

Baltacha said: "It is a very strong field at Eastbourne this year with eight of the top 20 in the world there.

"Whoever I get drawn against is going to be unbelievably tough.

"But you never know. It's worth having a pop at these players especially in the first round when they are not used to the surface and it might just happen for me."

She has a respectable Eastbourne record despite facing opponents way above her in the world rankings.

She battled through qualifying to reach the main draw on her debut in 2001, losing to former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez in the first round proper.

Baltacha, nicknamed Bally, has also made it through to the last 16 of qualifying twice and the last eight once.

She said: "I would say I have done pretty well at Eastbourne. I have proved I can win matches there."

Baltacha, who also has a wild card for Wimbledon, is excited to just be at the event.

She said: "I love Eastbourne. You can't beat Wimbledon but other than that Eastbourne is definitely my favourite tournament.

"I love the way the grass plays. My friends and family come down and we have a good week.

"I always stay in the town until the end of the week to practice, no matter how I have got on."

Baltacha is enjoying good health this year and is closing on a place in the world's top 100.

The highlight so far was a run through qualifiers to the third round of the Australian Open at Melbourne in January.

She said: "That was amazing. I really felt I earned the right to be there, rather than having to rely on getting a wild card.

"It gave me so much confidence. I jumped to 120 in the world and aimed to get in the main draw for the French Open on my ranking alone.

"That didn't happen but I have managed to maintain my ranking and feel I can crack the top 100 this year and move on up."

The smile is back on the face of the 21-year-old whose career was on the line at Wimbledon in 2003.

She was diagnosed with a liver complaint which threatened her future in the game.

She said: "I took six months off after Wimbledon two years ago and it was bad. I had to start again from scratch.

"It was tough and I have come through a lot. But I've been fully fit for a year now.

"Everything is hunky-dory. Healthwise I am feeling fine. I don't even need medication and all I have to do is watch what I eat and avoid alcohol. The whole experience has made me stronger and I am chuffed I have the opportunity to play again."

Baltacha would love to be the most successful British female since Jo Durie made it to world No.5 20 years ago.

Alan Jones, who coaches her with Durie, believes his latest protege can crack the big-time. He said: "I did the journey with Jo and never thought I would be that interested again.

"But I believe Bally is capable of making it. Why would I be doing this now at my age otherwise? I am fat and 57 but she has made me feel young again. She is worthy as a person and a player."

But Jones knows Baltacha is playing catch up. He said: "By her age, Jo was in the top ten and I am sure Maria Sharapova, at 18, has hit more balls than Bally.

"She has missed a lot of tennis because of illness. She is 21 going on 17-18 in terms her tennis experience.

"There is a lot of work to be done. Where do you want to start?

"Bally is not out on the court enough and still needs to improve her volley.

"She's spoilt by her mother, the British press and others around her. But she is willing. Jo and I work well with her. Its good cop, bad cop and I'm the bad cop."

Baltacha accepts there is a long way to go before she can emulate Durie.

She said: "I have still got lots more to do and I'm working hard at it."

Baltacha could do a with a British rival to help push her further.

Tim Henman had Greg Rusedski but the female side of the domestic game is bereft of talent. British No.2 Amanda Janes is 100 places below Baltacha and Jane O'Donoghue (229), Anne Keothavong (238) and Emily Webley-Smith (262) are struggling. The rest are 300 and upwards.

There is also concern that the state of British women's tennis could get worse after the LTA's decision not to replace national women's supremo Keith Wooldridge.

Baltacha, daughter of former Russian footballer Sergei, declined to get involved in the politics.

She said: "All I will say is that Keith was a great supporter.

He gave me a lot of opportunities through wild cards in events and the LTA have backed me financially."

Virginia Wade, the last Eastbourne champion from Britain, will be at Devonshire Park to see how our latest hope will fare.

Wade will commentate for the BBC and act as ambassador for sponsors Hastings Direct.

But Baltacha would not make predictions about emulating Wade's feat of 1975.

She said: "I'll take one match at a time."