Mauresmo continues her impressive form
Thursday, 29 June 2006 18:46World number one Amelie Mauresmo sounded another title warning as she dispatched doubles expert Samantha Stosur in straight sets on Centre Court.
The 26-year-old top seed has been a semi-finalist here in each of the last three years - and it was easy to see why she is fancied to go one better this time around.
Mauresmo, winner of a first grand slam singles title at the Australian Open in January, simply had too much quality for the world number 50.
She broke Stosur in the very first game and never looked back, wrapping up the first set in 32 minutes.
The Australian number one did threaten a fightback, but it was all too brief as Mauresmo tightened up her play to comfortably book a place in round three.
During the match, the impressive French ace had moved through the complete range of her repertoire, coming to the net with great effect.
Stosur did at least try to take the game to the top seed, producing a number of cross-court winners during the middle of the first set.
However, Mauresmo closed out the set 6-4 when Stosur hit a baseline return into the net.
Partnering American Lisa Raymond, 22-year-old Stosur had won the doubles title at Roland Garros and is top of the women's rankings.
But the girl from the Gold Coast was out on her own in what was already a best performance at Wimbledon, having never before reached round two.
Stosur looked more determined at the start of the second set, which went with serve until game three.
A netted forehand gave Mauresmo a break point which she expertly dispatched with a strong backhand past Stosur's right side to take the upper hand.
The match then reverted to something of a baseline battle, with Mauresmo moving ahead 4-2 following a fortunate net cord, which spun past Stosur.
A backhand into the net handed the world number one two break points, which she claimed first time with a fine drop shot, the ball tipping the net on the way down.
Mauresmo went on to hold her next service game to love and close out the match 6-4 6-2 in 58 minutes.
