Pierce turns back the years

Wed, 25 May 2005

Mary Pierce turned back the years on Wednesday when she coasted to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Croatia's Jelena Kostanic in their second round match at the French Open.

Pierce, the last French player to triumph in the singles at Roland Garros in 2000, won through in 58 minutes.

"It's like playing in my back garden," said the 30-year-old home favourite after her match on the Philippe Chatrier centre court.

"Since 2001 I haven't been feeling completely in my best shape. Now I'm feeling good again," she said.

Pierce, who also counts the 1995 Australian Open crown among her 16 titles, recalled her first appearance as a 15-year-old in Roland Garros when she reached the second round.

"I remember very well when I played here. It was a good match. Of course you're very impressed, you're a bit tense, that's normal."

And the Florida-based player admitted that because of injuries she now spends more time preparing off the court than on it.

"I spend more time on physical preparation and recovering than on court. But in 2000 I spent a lot of time looking after my injured shoulder."

Pierce next plays ninth-seeded Russian Vera Zvonareva, whom she beat in their Fed Cup tie two years ago, for a place in the fourth round.

"She's obviously one of the best. I'm expecting a tough match. I played her once and beat her in three sets. I'll try to do as in the first two rounds, to have fun on court and play my best tennis," added the 21 seed.