A look back at sports
 |
Sports pictures of the year
From a nail-biting pass at Superbowl XLIII to a bloody WBO World Welterwight fight, here's a look at the best sports photos of 2009. Slideshow
Mauresmo believes good times are returning
Simon Cambers
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (Reuters) - A rejuvenated Amelie Mauresmo said on Tuesday she believed she was on the right track to getting back among the world's elite.
The former world number one, now ranked 33rd, took another tentative step on the comeback trail with a grueling 6-2 6-7 6-2 win over Estonia's Kara Kanepi in round one of the WTA event in New Haven.
In the final event before the U.S. Open, which starts on Monday, Mauresmo battled for more than two and a half hours to set up a clash with fifth seed Patty Schnyder.
This time last year, Mauresmo, the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, had hit rock bottom, struggling with injuries and considering retirement.
"Last summer, I really had to take a break and see what I should do, (see if) it was time for me to stop." Mauresmo told reporters.
After a couple of months off, the 29-year-old realized she still loved to compete.
Though her 2008 campaign has been beset by injuries - last month she fell to 37th in the rankings, her lowest since 1998 - she is beginning to show signs of her best form once more.
"I was not feeling huge motivation to keep going. But I came up with the fact that I didn't want to end the way I was feeling last year," she said.
"I wanted to find some more emotions on the court and maybe try to do a few more things in the big ones. I want to keep going."
POWER VACUUM
New Haven is Mauresmo's second event since Wimbledon after yet another injury, this time to her thigh, interrupted her progress.
A good performance this week and in the U.S. Open, though, will push her back towards the top 20 and Mauresmo said she believed she still had some good times ahead.
"I am really happy and feeling that I am adjusting pretty well so far," she said.
"Even though it's been a pretty tough year because a lot of injuries came up, I think I can keep going a little more."
The retirement of Justine Henin in May, when she was the world number one, has left no single dominant player in the women's game and Mauresmo said the void at the top could help her.
"I thought Maria Sharapova played a pretty good first few months but got injured," she said.
"I thought she was going to be the one to be dominant this year, but it could be an opportunity for me to really try to get back to the highest level and see what I can do there."
(Editing by Rex Gowar)
