Mauresmo on guard against change of conditions in Dubai

DUBAI, Feb 20 (Reuters) World number three Amelie Mauresmo is aware she is in for a tough time at the Dubai Open this week after her sparkling indoor performance at the Diamond Games in Antwerp.

''I feel pretty good,'' Mauresmo told reporters today. ''I hope right after the win in Antwerp I'll be able to get my focus on to what is going on here and the different conditions.

''That's going to be the tricky thing for this week probably, getting back to outdoors. We'll see,'' added the French number two seed, who earned a 1.3 million dollars diamond-studded racket for her third Antwerp victory in as many years.

''I'm coming here trying to adjust as fast as I can to the conditions, and I will definitely have to make it quick because the draw is very tough.

''Right from the beginning you have to be very close to your best level.'' Mauresmo has a bye into the second round of the Dubai event where she will face Russian qualifier Vera Dushevina. She is seeded to face defending champion Justine Henin in Saturday's final.

Mauresmo won her first grand slam title against Henin at the Australian Open in 2006 when the Belgian retired midway through the final due to illness.

''We are leading our lives the way we are both supposed to, and that's it,'' said Mauresmo, who beat Henin to take the Wimbledon title last year. ''What happened is definitely in the past, but I think it shows some side of the personality and that's what I keep in my mind.'' REUTERS SAM RK2106