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Oh, what joy! Amelie Mauresmo is into the semi finals of Madrid after beating Agnes Szavay, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. The Frenchwoman is enjoying a mini-resurgence, despite (or because of?) retirement rumors, winning the Paris Open earlier this year and having already scored four wins over top five opponents. With a new coach this season (Hugo Lecoq) and these promising results, perhaps this won’t be Amelie’s last season on tour.

She was asked after the match if the idea of retiring from the sport has helped her play (my translation via L’Equipe):

No. It is rather a change in staff. This has given me new motivation. With Hugo, we’ve spoken a lot about the way I need to play. I want to bring in my knowledge, my life experience and to hear a new voice. The motto: I will not continue to be bored on the court. It will not always be great. But since the beginning of the year, there have been plenty of fun moments on the court. For now, the gamble is paying off.

Glad to see Amelie is still looking to improve her game and maximize her talent. As she says in the following highlight video: “It’s not over.”

It’s Mauresmo vs. Wozniacki and Safina vs. Schnyder in Saturday’s Madrid semifinals.  Both should be great matches – and they will be broadcast on Tennis Channel in the States (click here for the TV schedule.)

Rage, rage against the dying of the light: AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza via Daylife