Amanda Janes is preparing for the match of her life at Eastbourne today and the chance to land a £100,000 jackpot from the tournament sponsors at Wimbledon next week.

The British No. 2's second round showdown against top seed Amelie Mauresmo of France coincides with a lucrative incentive from Hastings Direct Motor Insurance for any home female player reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.

Left-hander Janes, daughter of 1961 Wimbledon finalist Christine Truman, knocked out Chinese qualifier Jie Zheng in straight sets in the first round yesterday to seal a dream date with Mauresmo, the world No. 4.

"This is what I work for, to play these people and see what you are aiming at," said Janes.

"In the two years since I left university I have been constantly pushing myself and I have high expectations. I am trying to get to the consistent level of the top players."

Janes burst on to the scene at Eastbourne last year after studying English Literature at Cambridge University. She upset world No. 27 Magui Serna from Spain in one of three qualifying wins before losing in the first round to American Amy Frazier.

The lanky 26-year-old's ranking, boosted by victories in minor events in Hull and Buchen, Germany, has risen from the 500s to 240.

"I think I have got fitter and stronger, both physically and mentally," said Janes. "I have been working hard on my game. It has been a year of ups and downs but I have been looking forward to the grass. I had a really tough autumn, when I lost in the first round a lot."

Hastings Direct are hoping their offer of £100,000 sponsorship funding will inspire Janes and the rest of the British girls at Wimbledon to emulate Sam Smith, who reached the fourth round in 1998.

Smith, now a commentator for Sky Sports, said: "The British women in the draw shouldn't need any incentive to win matches at Wimbledon, but the Hastings Direct offer is extra motivation.

"Any player collecting the money will have the equivalent finances of three years funding to play on the pro tour. It will give that player so many options on tournament scheduling and training that the sky's the limit.

"Most of the British women are ranked around the 200 mark and this offer could be just the boost they need to make the next step up into the world's top 100 players."

Janes bridged a rankings gap of 191 places against Zheng, who last month became the first Chinese player to reach the fourth round of the French Open.

It took her only 80 minutes to emphasise her liking for Eastbourne with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

"I love it here," Janes said. "I seem to do very well. I've played six or seven county weeks at Devonshire Park, so I have a lot of really good memories of Eastbourne. Beating Serna last year was the best moment of the tournament."