Mauresmo Playing Again

Amelie Mauresmo is back on the tennis court for the first time since a back injury took her out in mid-March. The lesbian French pro is starting up again in what's a small tournament by Women's Tennis Association standards, the $170,000 Bol Ladies Open in Croatia.

Mauresmo, seeded #3 in the tournament and still ranked #17 in the world despite her layoff, struggled in her first round May 3 to best Rita Kuti Kis of Hungary 7-5, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2. But she came back May 4 with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia.

Mauresmo got off to a great start this season, winning the Sydney International in January with a memorable match against now-world #1 Lindsay Davenport.
After disappointing showings at the Australian Open and Gaz de France, she lost a tough semi-final battle with Serena Williams at the Hanover Grand Prix in February. Then in her first Indian Wells Tennis Masters Series was forced to withdraw with the back strain.

Pisnik wins first title at Bol Ladies Open

May 7, 2000 BOL, Croatia -- Tina Pisnik of Slovenia won her first Sanex WTA Tour title Sunday, the $170,000 Croatian Bol Ladies Open, by edging third-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2). "

I still don't know how it feels to win a title,'' the 19-year-old Pisnik said. "The feeling has not yet sunk in.''
Mauresmo, 17th in the world rankings and playing in her sixth career final, appeared well in control of the first set until Pisnik turned in some stunning net play and a wide array of passing shots to force the tiebreak.

"I was up against a much higher-ranked player, but always believed that I could win, otherwise I would not have walked onto the court,'' said Pisnik, who was ranked 81st when the tournament began.
Pisnik took charge in the second set, breaking her opponent's serve at 4-3 and reaching her first match point at 5-3.
But Mauresmo rallied and won the next three games to move in front 6-5.

Returning from a six-week pause due to a back injury, Mauresmo looked to be in control when she sent a set ball wide to let Pisnik pull even and send the second set into a tiebreak. Pisnik, who did not lose a single set in the clay court tournament, and Mauresmo were even at 2-2 before Pisnik wrapped up the victory by winning the last five points.