Mauresmo back from injury at China Open

Former world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo will attempt to shake off the disappointment of a two-month absence by returning to action at the China Open today.

The two-time Grand Slam winner will turn out in Beijing for her first WTA tournament since a serious groin injury contributed to her fourth-round exit at Wimbledon in early July.

"I try to find my rhythm, that's why I am here in Beijing," the 11th-ranked Frenchwoman told China Daily.

"This year is very difficult for me, I had a lot of injuries that would definitely affect my energy.

"When I am back on the tour the whole 2007 is almost behind me, I will make the best preparation for the next season, I am looking forward to returning to top 10 as soon as possible."

The 28-year-old Mauresmo, who soared to world No 1 after dominating the Australian and Wimbledon Open last year, hasn't touched her racquet since taking part in France's 3-2 Fed Cup defeat by Italy in July.

An abductor strain and the need to recover from the appendectomy she had in March have colluded to lay her up.

The operation saw her struggle for form and fitness throughout a season in which she failed to make it past the quarterfinals in more than half the tournaments she contested.

But despite her lack of match practice, a refreshed Mauresmo says she can still win major tournaments like the China Open.

"The days without racquet really freed up my mind," she said after the longest lay off of her career.

"I tried to have some quality days with my family and friends - this is the best rest in my 10-year career, it is fantastic.

"Now I am fresh and relaxed, and my goal next year is definitely Grand Slam titles and Olympics."

Last year's China Open runner-up was fortunate to be awarded a bye in the opening round, but it will be Mauresmo's last free lunch.

Rain caused most matches to be postponed yesterday.

In only two matches played, Marina Erakovic outclassed Catalina Castano 6-4, 6-0 and Dominika Cibulkova beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-7 (7/5), 6-1 to reach the second round.

Hingis takes on China's doubles ace Sun Tiantian today, while Peng Shuai and Yan Zi will also take to the court.

Beijing won the rights to a nine-day Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournament earlier this year, becoming one of just four cities to host elite events on a 20-event top-level calendar in 2010.

And the city's elevation has caught the attention of tennis' big names.

Four more players from the world's top 20 are here in Beijing this week to battle it out for the $600,000 Tier II event.

Top seed and defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will look to build on her impressive 7-1 win-loss record at the Beijing Tennis Centre.

The 22-year-old Russian has had a remarkably consistent season on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, winning the title in New Haven as well as runner-up finishes at a further five events including Flushing Meadows.

These successes have seen Kuznetsova rise to a career-high ranking of No 2.

After winning 12 of her past 13 matches, she is a hot tip for Beijing.

Also grabbing headlines is three-time Grand Slam winner Lindsay Davenport, the 31-year-old American who made her first tour singles appearance since last September in Bali last week.

There the new mum surprised fans to win an emotional title just three months after giving birth to her first child, Jagger.

Serbian star Jelena Jankovic is No 2 seed for the tournament and has proven a dangerous player who everyone must be wary of.

The 22-year-old from Belgrade has enjoyed a magnificent season to date, securing four tour titles - including tier I events in Charleston and Rome and rising to a career-high ranking of No 3.

Other top seeds include Russian Elena Dementieva, Swiss star Martina Hingis, Hungarian Agnes Szavay, Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues and Eleni Daniilidou of Italy.

Earlier yesterday, Zheng Jie, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, was named a "Promoter of Gender Equality" of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and WTA.

The two-time doubles Grand Slam winner will join a series of programs to help elevate women's status.

(China Daily 09/18/2007 page22)