Mauresmo finds her rhythm ahead of 2008 US Open

Two times grand slam winner Amelie Mauresmo is enjoying a new lease on life as she prepares for the 2008 US Open.

The 29 year old reached the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open in Cincinnati Ohio last week, and was pleased with her performance after spending several weeks on the sidelines with a rib injury.

Mauresmo carried her good form into the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament on Tuesday, defeating classy opponent Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2. While Mauresmo struggled in the second set, it was clear that her rhythm is returning in time for the 2008 US Open.

"Overall it was a good fight," Mauresmo said after the match. "It is always good to go out of these kinds of matches with a win. I am happy physically because I am fine coming out of this match."

"I am definitely thinking the body is not holding as well as it used to," concluded Mauresmo. "That's a fact and it is pretty frustrating, but that is the way it is."

Mauresmo wasn't he only player fighting back from injury at the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament on Tuesday. France's Mario Bartoli was almost ruled out of the tournament by an abdominal injury, but went on to defeat Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the second round.

“I practised here first and felt I could play," said Bartoli. "It is good to have matches before a Grand Slam."