Seasoned campaigner Tatjana Maria, a Wimbledon semifinalist three years ago, will be the cynosure when the main draw action of the $100,000 KPB Trust Women’s Open gets underway at the KSLTA courts here on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old German ace, and No. 2 Rebecca Marino of Canada may come into the tournament with a wealth of experience, but the field -- which also includes former champion Brenda Fruhvirtova and holder Darja Semenistaja -- wears an open look.

For, a clutch of youngsters, who are poised to take their game to the next level, will give the veterans a run for their money in the biggest-ever ITF World Tennis Tour event in the country. The winner will take home $15,239 besides the 100 ranking points.

Motherhood hasn’t diminished Maria’s hunger for titles. In fact, two of her three WTA Tour titles came after the birth of her second daughter. A thinker of the game who moves her opponents around, confidence could well be her middle name.

“There was always the belief that I can do it, that’s why I came back after the first pregnancy. That’s why I came back after the second one. If I don’t believe I can do these things, I would not be here,” she had said after her maiden entry into the semifinals of a Grand Slam in 2022.

Coming off a second-round appearance at the Australian Open, it won’t come as a surprise if Maria, who has been playing on the biggest stage since her debut in Wimbledon 18 years ago, is the last one standing on Sunday.

Like the top seed, Marino could be in the twilight of her career, but the 34-year-old, who achieved a career-high ranking of 38 in 2011, still has the fire in her belly. Owner of 17 ITF singles titles, Marino lost in the first round of the opening Slam.

“I feel like I’m playing well and I hope that will continue this week,” Marino said on Monday. “I’m going to try and compete as hard as I can. I come with a good attitude and hopefully that’s the winning recipe,” she added.

Reigning champion Semenistaja, the third seed who is coming off a semifinal appearance in New Delhi last week, will look to go all the way here. “I’m happy to be back, I just have great memories from last year. Now, it’s a bigger tournament which is very exciting so I just hope I can do well here,” said the Latvian.

France’s Leolia Jeanjean and Czech Sara Bejlek too made the main draw of the Australian Open, and will be watched with interest. So too will fourth-seeded Russian Maria Timofeeva.

ANKITA TO LEAD CHARGE

Meanwhile, Ankita Raina will lead the charge of the Indians. The world No. 286, coming off a splendid doubles triumph last week in New Delhi, will look to make up for the debacle in the singles.

Eager to take her ranking back into the top 200, Ankita, handed a wildcard entry, will look to cash in on the opportunity. So too will the other three Indians in the fray -- Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Vaidehee Chaudhari.

“Bengaluru is proud to host the only $100,000 ITF event in the country,” said Tournament Director Sunil Yajaman. “A quality field that has assembled here and it’s a great opportunity for the Indians to parade their skills and earn ranking points. I thank all the sponsors – KPB Family Trust, Dafa News, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, Oriental Lotus, MSIL and Vaia Climate -- and invite the tennis-loving fans of Bengaluru to come and witness top-class tennis action,” he added.

“With this ITF Women’s W100 and the ATP Challenger, Bengaluru has become home to the biggest men’s and women’s tennis events in the subcontinent,” Yajaman said.

Main draw seedings: 1. Tatjana Maria (Ger); Rebecca Marino (Can); 3. Darja Semenistaja (Lat); 4. Maria Timofeeva (Rus); 5. Alexandra Eala (Phi); 6. Mananchaya Sawangkaew (Tha); 7. Leolia Jeanjean (Fra); 8. Sara Bejlek (Cze).