Natasha Khan is stepping up her efforts to become a fully-fledged professional and make a name for herself in the women's game.

The 16-year-old wild-card entrant plays in a 10,000-dollar satellite event at Bournemouth this week hoping to secure her first world-ranking point.

Natasha has shown plenty of potential in a successful indoor winter campaign.

The Hove schoolgirl won the LTA under-18 Masters Series last month and there have been other encouraging results.

She also beat South African Serena de Beer, who is ranked 590th in the world, in January.

Natasha is now focusing on winning her first world ranking point at Bournemouth.

She said: "It would be a big milestone for me and I'll be giving it a go."

Great Britain is crying out for a champion.

Players from Sussex have briefly tasted success in the past.

Julie Salmon reached the third round of Wimbledon and former British No. 1 Clare Wood won several national titles, as did Julie Pullin.

Natasha is determined to restore national pride after a long spell in the doldrums for the women's game .

She said: "I've got big dreams. I want to play at Wimbledon on centre court.

"I feel it might come true for me if I put the work in."

She has plenty of people to help her realise those dreams, including Salmon and Pullin.

Salmon coached the 16-year-old at the Brighton Health and Racquets Club at Falmer before taking up a post as head of tennis at St Bede's School.

Pullin has stepped in to give her advice on technique and the realities of playing professional tennis.

Natasha said: "Julie Salmon was great for me. My game really developed with her help.

"But Julie Pullin is doing her bit for me now. She was on the circuit for over ten years and her experience will help me avoid some of the pitfalls. She is a good coach."

The mainstay of her support group is Rhys Hanger, husband of Sussex captain Julie Dawson.

Natasha said: "It is important for me to have someone who is clued into my development on a regular basis and Rhys certainly is.

"The only trouble is I have to travel to Reigate for coaching sessions with him but it's worth it."

Natasha, who has red streaks in her hair, leaves Blatchington Mill School this summer and is prepared for the grind of trying to make it as a full-time professional.

She has developed more self-belief as she plots her path into the full-time game.

That self-belief was demonstrated in the victory over de Beer.

Natasha said: "It took me three sets and it was a big win for me.

"It got me a quarter of a world ranking point."

The Masters Series triumph was also a big boost with Natasha defeating Julia Bone in the final in straight sets. She said: "It was fantastic because it showed that I have potential and that my game is becoming more reliable."

Natasha has been hampered by erratic form.

She said: "I don't know why, but sometimes I was very good and other times I was terrible.

"The worst it got was at Felixstowe in my first satellite event last summer and I started to question where I was going and what I was doing with my tennis.

"I lost a tough match and my form fell apart because my confidence went.

"But Rhys has been a big help, along with Julie Pullin, at rebuilding my self-belief and making my game more reliable.

"It can be difficult because I have a serve-and-volley attacking style. I've had a run of wins now and that has given me a lot of confidence."

Natasha is under no illusions about what it takes to succeed.

She comes from a family who do their best to back her but she needs sponsorship to play abroad and develop her game.

Well-motivated, Natasha has drawn inspiration from the achievements of world No. 1 Justine Henin.

Natasha said: "I look up to Justine because of her ability as a tennis player and her work-ethic.

"Perhaps one day I can get somewhere near where she is now."

For now, Natasha is fully concentrated on her dates on clay in Bournemouth and a second 10,000-dollar satellite in Edinburgh next week.

She said: "I'll be a little nervous but I have to find out if I can sustain my winning run.

"I have to know if I'm good enough to become a professional tennis player."

There is a lot riding on the next two weeks but Natasha believes she can come through smiling and knowing where her future lies.