BEIJING: US teen sensation Melanie Oudin, looking to extend her dream breakthrough season at the China Open, says the confidence she gained from her run to the US Open last eight will serve her well in Beijing.

The 18-year-old Oudin burst onto the tennis scene this year with a fourth-round showing at Wimbledon, shocking former world number one Jelena Jankovic en route.

The Georgia native followed that up with an even better run at Flushing Meadows, defeating fourth seed Elena Dementieva and another former number one, Maria Sharapova.

Oudin, who has shot up to a career-high 42 in the world rankings, has to battle through the qualifying rounds in Beijing but said her new-found self belief will carry her through to the main draw.

"I don't think my mental game has changed since the US Open except that it has given me more confidence. I definitely think I can keep up with these girls," Oudin said after a practice session here.

"I've been trying to work on a bunch of things since the US Open. I am trying to make my game strong and to move quicker on the court," she said, according to a statement posted Friday on the tournament website.

Oudin was to face world number 115 Alexa Glatch of the United States on Friday. The top eight qualifiers will advance to the main draw.

World number one Dinara Safina, Serena and Venus Williams, Dementieva and titleholder Jankovic headline the women's singles competition, which opens on Saturday.

On the men's side, world number two Rafael Nadal, defending champion Andy Roddick and Serbia's Novak Djokovic will be the favourites when play gets under way on Monday.