Mauresmo raises hopes for success
 |
Story Tools
|
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Amelie Mauresmo hammered into the third round of the Australian Open before letting slip that she believes this could be her big opportunity for a maiden grand slam crown.
The powerful Frenchwoman smashed Ludmila Cervanova 6-0 6-2 and later said the absence of past champions Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati meant she felt she could go one better than her Australian runner's-up spot in 1999.
"I think it has always been a good place for me to be, in Australia," she said. "I've always played some good tennis here."
"I feel probably there is an opportunity to take in this tournament... not only because there are some players missing but also because I feel good, because I feel my game is getting better and better," Mauresmo said.
Wednesday's Melbourne Park clash was a first match-up for French fourth seed Mauresmo and the Slovak and it was one Cervanova is unlikely to forget.
Muscular and tall, Mauresmo overwhelmed the 64th-ranked Cervanova in the first set with a combination of heavy serves, crisp volleys and powerful groundstrokes.
Cervanova, a first round loser in both her previous events this year in Auckland and Hobart, saved some blushes by getting on the scoreboard early in the second set.
Momentary hiccup
It proved only a momentary hiccup for Mauresmo, though, and she stretched away for an easy victory in 44 minutes.
"It was a very good match," Mauresmo said. "I felt really comfortable and I put a lot of pressure on her from the beginning."
"She probably didn't know what to do. I am happy about this one -- we'll just keep going like this and see," she said.
World number four Mauresmo is looking in fine form and will pose a major threat to Justine Henin-Hardenne's hopes of landing a first Australian Open title.
The pair are seeded to meet in the semi-finals and both look unstoppable at present.
Certainly Mauresmo thinks she is a far better player than she was when she was beaten in the 1999 final by Martina Hingis.
"In all areas of my game I have moved forward," she said. "I've improved physically, of course I have more experience... yeah, all areas are a little better."
Mauresmo will next meet Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues, who beat Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine 6-2 2-6 6-3.
Copyright 2004
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
