Mauresmo aims to top rankings till year end

PARIS, Mar 21 (Reuters) Tennis number one Amelie Mauresmo aims to stay on top of the world until the end of the season.

The Frenchwoman leapfrogged Kim Clijsters to top the WTA rankings yesterday and wants to stay put.

''The first time, I had the feeling it would not last whereas now, things are much more under control,'' she told sports daily L'Equipe today.

''And if I have things under control, it means it's going to last much longer. My main target is now to still be at this place at the end of the year,'' the 26-year-old added.

For long an under-achiever, Mauresmo eventually entered the big-time winners' circle when she won the season-ending WTA championships in Los Angeles last year.

The Switzerland-based player had become the first Frenchwoman to reach the number one ranking in September 2004, though she had not won a Grand Slam title.

That came in January, however, when she beat Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Australian Open final after the Belgian retired through illness.

''I now feel I really dominate women's tennis,'' said Mauresmo. ''It makes a big difference.'' REUTERS PM RS1519