Mauresmo proud to be number one at the French Open

PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) Amelie Mauresmo is proud to become the first French player to start a grand slam tournament as the number one seed in the Open Era at Roland Garros and has no worries about her new status.

''I take a lot of pride in this seeding, it means a lot to me'', she told a press conference today after being confirmed as world number one on the WTA entry list.

''To start the tournament as the number one seed will spur me on even if I know that a lot of people will turn their attention to me'', she added.

In the past, the 26-year-old has failed to live up to expectations on the Paris clay and has never reached the last four.

This year, after clinching her first grand slam title at the Australian Open, she won on carpet in Paris and Antwerp but has had disappointing results on clay.

Mauresmo was crushed 6-1 6-2 by former Belgian number one and French open winner Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals of the Berlin Open this month and withdrew from the Rome Masters.

''I had a sore throat but I'm feeling better now and getting stronger every day,'' she said. ''I was sorry not be able to play in Rome where I always had good results but maybe it's a good thing.

''The previous years, I won in Rome or reached the final and it didn't help me in Paris.'' The French Open begins on Sunday.

Reuters DKS DB2252