Despite the setback in the final of the ITF Mysore Open on Sunday, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty exuded confidence on the eve of the main draw of the SKME ITF Open that begins at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium here on Tuesday.

The tall Indian had her chances against American Jessie Aney, but came up short in the final that was on a knife-edge till the very last point. The 22-year-old, who is enjoying a good run in recent times, will look to make amends for the miss at the prestigious $15,000 event here.

“I am feeling confident about my game, and I have been doing well on the Tour,” Shrivalli said on Monday. “Even if the final last week didn’t go as planned, I think I did a pretty good job.”

Karnataka has been a happy hunting ground for Shrivalli, who is known for her big serve and heavy-hitting. Besides making the final in Mysuru, the 22-year-old won her maiden ITF title here on clay last year. With two quarterfinal finishes in Perth last month, the Hyderabadi will look to maintain the momentum. “I’m confident of going deep in the tournament,” said Shrivalli, who takes on qualifier Sahira Singh in the opener.

Challenge for the top seed is likely to come from Vaishnavi Adkar, the second seed who is placed over 370 places below her in the rankings, and Denmark’s Elena Jamshidi. Like Shrivalli, Elena, still not 100 percent fit, too will look to make up for a premature end in Mysuru. The Dane, who suffered a bout of food poisoning and retired in her quarterfinal against Lakshmiprabha Arunkumar, will look to sign off on a high.

Besides a few Indians who have the wherewithal to make it count on their day in the 32-player draw, New Caledonia’s Carolann Delaunay, who crashed out in the opener last week, and young Russian Arina Arifullina too will be watched with interest.

SREENIDHI IN MAIN DRAW

Meanwhile, local girl Sreenidhi Balaji scored a hard-fought 5-7, 6-4, 10-4 win over Kashish Bhatia to make her maiden main draw at the senior level on Monday. The bespectacled player was joined by five other Indians in the 32-player field.

The 18-year-old wildcard entrant, who stunned 10^th seed Naomi Hagi in the first round on Sunday, found her touch after a relatively slow start. She came back strongly after losing the opener to put it past her towering rival.

The other three Karnataka players – top seed Vanshita Pathania, Amodini Naik and Sonicka Jadeesh – fell by the wayside. While Vanshita and Amodini lost in straight sets, Sonicka suffered a heartbreaking 9-11 loss in the super tie-break.

Results (Final qualifying round, Indians unless mentioned): Sreenidhi Balaji bt Kashish Bhatia 5-7, 6-4, 10-4; Jo-Leen Saw (Mas) bt Vanshita Pathania 6-4, 6-3; Kaili Demi Teso (Jpn) bt Amodini Naik 6-1, 6-3; Abhaya Vemuri bt Joell Nichole 6-2, 6-0; Sahira Singh bt Laalitya Kalluri 6-3, 6-0; Apurva Vemuri bt Noelani Sara Teso (Jpn) 6-2, 6-4; Chandana Potugari bt Sejal Gopal Bhutada 6-3, 3-6, 11-9; Bela Tamhankar bt Sonicka Jadeesh 6-3, 3-6, 11-9.

Main draw seedings: 1. Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty (Ind); 2. Vaishnavi Adkar (Ind); 3. Elena Jamshidi (Den); 4. Carolann Delaunay (New Caledonia); 5. Arina Arifullina (Rus); 6. Soha Sadiq (Ind); 7. Akanksha Nitture (Ind); 8. Tanisha Kashyap (Ind).

CAPTION: PIX-1: Bengaluru’s Sreenidhi Balaji makes a forehand return during her final qualifying round win over Kashish Bhatia at the SKME ITF Open in Bengaluru on Monday.

PIX-2: Sreenidhi Balaji makes a two-handed backhand return during her final qualifying round win over Kashish Bhatia at the SKME ITF Open in Bengaluru on Monday.

PIX-3: India’s Apurva Vemuri in action during her final qualifying round win over eight-seeded Noelani Sara Teso of Japan at the SKME ITF Open in Bengaluru on Monday.

PIX-4: Malaysia’s Jo-Leen Saw defeated top-seeded Vanshita Pathania in the final qualifying round at the SKME ITF Open in Bengaluru on Monday.