Mauresmo looks for way out of lingering slump

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo bemoaned her exasperating slump in form after losing 6-1 6-2 to Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko in the Pacific Life Open third round on Sunday.

The Frenchwoman has slipped out of the world's top 20 following a run of poor results that began a year ago after she underwent an emergency appendectomy.

"It is very frustrating and it is painful sometimes to go through these moments," the 28-year-old told reporters after being swept aside by her opponent in just over an hour.

"Every time is tough to handle but then you just go back on the court, back to work and do the best you can. These moments are difficult but then the career and the year continues."

A shadow of the player who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, Mauresmo said she was struggling to make the best on-court decisions but ruled out any thought of curtailing her career.

"In today's match, I make wrong choice on the court 70 percent of the time," the world number 27 added.

"That makes it pretty difficult."

"When you've had a tough year like I had, I guess you have to work on those things."