Fearless Mauresmo marches on

World number one Amelie Mauresmo claims she does not fear the pressure at the French Open any more after easily progressing to the last 16 with a straight-set win over Serbia & Montenegro’s Jelena Jankovic.

The Frenchwoman, whose best record on the Parisien red clay is the quarter-finals in 2003 and 2004, has often had problems coping with the pressure of playing on home ground.

But the Australian Open winner, who also reclaimed the world number one spot, insisted any nerves belonged to the past as she claimed her third consecutive win this year at the French Open without conceding a set.

“I made this match easy, I felt at ease and I controlled my shots very well,” Mauresmo said after her victory.

“I feel better about all the tensions surrounding this tournament.

“I gained some experience and what’s happened in the past months has certainly helped me take a step back.

“My level of play has also improved, I play better than before which allows me to enjoy my time here while keeping on winning.”

Mauresmo will face 16th seed of Russia Nicole Vaidisova in the last 16 on Sunday.

“At this stage of the competition I am wary of everyone,” she added.

“If she’s reached that level it’s because she had what it took.

“But I have also won matches and my confidence is high. It’s all positive.”

Former world number one Venus Williams insisted her tennis was back after also advancing to the last 16 by defeating Croatian Karolina Sprem.

The 25-year-old American, who has featured in only three tournaments this term after having her season spoilt by injuries, beat her unseeded rival 7-5 6-3 in one hour and 40 minutes.

“I think this match was a challenge,” said Williams.

“I knew that she would have nothing to lose and she’d come out just swinging as hard as she could.

“My serve was better, my movement also. Everything was better. Definitely match by match I am raising the level of my game.”

Williams will on Sunday take on seventh seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland who defeated Ukraine’s Julia Vakulenko 2-6 7-5 6-0 earlier on Friday.

“We played against each in Rome and it was a good match,” added Williams.

“She looks pretty confident on the court and it will be another challenge for me. I hope I will be able to come good.

“Her game is much different than most players on the tour so that makes her unique.”

Ninth seed Francesca Schiavone from Italy also qualified to the last 16 where she will face eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The other winners of the day include 14th seed Dinara Safina who qualified to the last 16 as well as sixth seed Elena Dementieva, who ousted Ukraine’s Viktoriya Kutuzova.

World number two Kim Clijsters, who reached the Roland Garros final in 2001 and 2003, won her second-round match which had been postponed because of the rain.

The 22-year-old Belgian made sure she would not spend too much energy and stormed past Spain’s Conchita Martinez Granados 6-0 6-3.

Former world number one Martina Hingis, who also had her second-round match postponed overnight, posted a speedy victory as she crushed Czech Republic’s Zuzana Ondraskova 6-1 6-3 in less than 50 minutes to progress to the next round.