SPORTS

Mauresmo targets swift return

February 16, 2005 14:51 IST

World number two Amelie Mauresmo has set her sights on a 16th WTA title at this week's Antwerp Open after the disappointment of losing in the Paris Open final two days ago.

"It's good for me to be here straight after Paris," the 25-year-old Frenchwoman told a news conference on Tuesday.

"I have the chance to bounce back straight away after that defeat, but at least I will have a bit of time to regroup because I do not have to play until Thursday."

Top seed Mauresmo, beaten 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 by Russia's Dinara Safina in Paris on Sunday, has a bye into the second round in Antwerp where she will take on compatriot Mary Pierce.

It will be their second meeting in successive weeks, Mauresmo having beaten Pierce 6-4, 6-3 in the Paris Open last 16.

Pierce, who won the Australian Open in 1995 and the French Open in 2000, beat Czech Iveta Benesova 6-2, 6-1 in the Antwerp Open first round on Tuesday.

Mauresmo, who has not played in Antwerp for the last two years because of injury, said she plans a more attacking approach for the last three Grand Slam events of the season.

"I have to be more aggressive," said Mauresmo, who has hired former ATP player Yannick Noah to help her out in future Grand Slam tournaments.

"His experience of top tennis is tremendous. He is a great leader but is also good at listening to the player.

"He's someone I always respected for his success and sensitivity," added Mauresmo, who is yet to win a Grand Slam title and lost in the quarter-finals of last month's Australian Open.

"He will bring me everything he can, and will help me go beyond my own limits."

 

Source: REUTERS
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