Serena heads for Paris but Mauresmo waits

Paris (Agence France-Presse): World number one Serena Williams heads back to where it all began Monday but the all-conquering American had better watch out - local girl Amelie Mauresmo wants to defend her patch.

The Paris Indoor Open means a lot to the American tennis star who won her first WTA title here at the expense of Mauresmo back in 1999 aged just 17.

Since then Williams has conquered the world, claiming a total of 20 titles including five Grand Slam crowns.

But the tournament also means a lot to Mauresmo, winner in 2001, and who despite her more modest eight WTA titles considers the event in the Pierre Coubertin Stadium on the outskirts of Paris as her territory,

Williams, fresh off her four consecutive Grand Slam wins, is the top seed in the US$585,000 tournament from Feb. 3 to Feb. 9, with Mauresmo seeded third behind Slovak Daniela Hantuchova.

"I can't wait to get out there," admitted Mauresmo, who will be making her come-back from a three-and-a-half month layoff with a knee injury.

"For me, it's in front of my public. It's my fan club which creates the atmosphere and lights up the entire crowd."

Beaten in the finals by Serena Williams in 1999, Mauresmo finally won in 2001 only to lose it last year in the semifinals to Venus Williams, who claimed the title after Jelena Dokic withdrew injured.

Venus is not defending her title with Dokic seeded fourth this year with Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, fifth.

And the 23-year-old Frenchwoman, whose mental strength has let her down in the past against the American sisters, knows that if she wants to keep up with the Williams this season could be crucial.

After a runaway 2001 when she claimed four titles, last season saw further progression for Mauresmo reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open before injury struck last October.

"I had great momentum. I felt really good in my game and in my head. After a terrific season I had the chance to maybe reach the third place in the world standings!" says a wistful Mauresmo.

But the grueling circuit had taken its toll on her body.

"I was worn out, weakened. A worn cartilage, it doesn't happen overnight but over years. After an American tournament where I'd given everything (US Open semifinals) I had difficulty finding a good physical level.

"My 2002 was a fuller year than previous years Every match, every tournament, each journey, but I achieved what. I'd always been looking for -consistency. Unfortunately..."