Mauresmo battles past Shaughnessy

NEW YORK, Sept 1 (Reuters) Top seed Amelie Mauresmo fought off American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-4 6-3 to reach the third round of the US Open.

The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion was stretched harder than expected yesterday and needed one hour 51 minutes to claim victory and a clash with Italian Mara Santangelo.

''It's good to have these kind of matches, especially nothaving played too much in the summer,'' said Mauresmo. ''Good intensity, good fight.

''I'm really getting into the rhythm of a match, of a competition, and of a really good fight.'' Shaughnessy, who won the WTA Tour title at Forest Hills title last weekend, forced Mauresmo to produce some of her best tennis to reach the last 32.

The American's downfall came when she was serving at 4-4 in the first set, one point away from winning the game. But she double-faulted twice in a row and then had an unforced error to give Mauresmo a 5-4 lead which allowed her to serve out the set.

Mauresmo broke early in the second and then saved three break points in the sixth game before holding on for victory.

REUTERS DH BS0901