The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo led France to a flying start as they took a 2-0 lead over Japan in the Fed Cup play-off tie for the World Group today.

The 2006 Wimbledon and Australian Open champion needed only 58 minutes to beat up-and-coming Ayumi Morita 6-0, 6-2, and then Virginie Razzano made it two up by beating former world doubles number one Ai Sugiyama 6-1, 7-5.

"I played a good match," said Mauresmo. "She (Morita) was probably a little bit tight, playing this first match today, opening this tie at home for her.

"I just felt comfortable out there and I'm happy to take France to have the first point and lead 1-0."

Mauresmo took the first nine games in a row and when Morita finally got into her rhythm, it was already too late to come back into the match as Mauresmo stood firm in her service games.

"I was expecting her to really try to play with a lot of speed, picking the ball up pretty early and moving me around," said Mauresmo.

"I just tried to take every opportunity that I would have and not make too many unforced errors, which I was able to do. I also try to play good in my service games. On this very fast surface, it's important," she added.

Morita, 18, admitted that she was tense at the beginning of the match because it was the first time that she played an opening match in the Fed Cup.

"Amelie combined some fast balls with slow ones by hitting slices and then suddenly hit hard for a winner. I was too slow to reflect against them and I couldn't play in my rhythm," said Morita.

"Even if I'm not nervous, my first serves are no good, and I was tight and I often mis-hit my strokes, which always didn't get past the net or went long. I couldn't control anything at all."