Tennis: Williams pursues crazy goal with Paris win

PARIS - Serena Williams punished France's Amelie Mauresmo 6-3 6-2 in the Paris indoor Open final on Sunday to remain unbeaten in 2003 and take another step towards her crazy goal of winning all her matches this year.

"After winning the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open last year, I needed a higher goal this season and I said I wouldn't lose a match", she said.

"My goal's crazy and I'll see what happens."

The American world number one still has a long year ahead, but easily followed up her Australian Open success with her second Paris Open title at the expense of the local favourite.

Williams, who won her first tournament in the same Coubertin sports hall in 1999, repeated the feat in front of the same opponent in 64 minutes.

But in four years the American has come a long way, having become the fifth woman to win four grand slam titles in succession after her Melbourne victory.

Mauresmo, who took Williams to a third set tie-break four years ago, was forced to measure the immense progress made by her opponent.

"It was tough for me because the crowd wanted Amelie to win, but it's her first tournament back and I'm really happy for her," said Williams.

"I had to play my best tennis as Amelie was playing so good here," she added.

The Frenchwoman, playing in her first tournament of the year after missing the Australian Open with a knee injury, held her ground at first and even had break points in Williams' first two service games.

But at 3-3 in the first set, Williams moved up a gear, served better and started hitting winners almost at will.

The American took three games in succession and won her last service game to love to take the first set.

Punishing Mauresmo on her second serves, Williams again broke the local favourite on a double fault in the first game of a one-sided second set.

Despite two consolation games won by Mauresmo -- the fifth and seventh -- Williams finished off her rival with the last of her 11 aces, winning a title taken by her sister Venus last year.

Despite the one-sided defeat, Mauresmo said she had not lost hope of one day beating the Williams sisters.

"It was a good week for me, a little unexpected as well. I have no regrets. Serena was stronger, that's all," she said.

"It was perhaps a little bit too early to return. But I must not lose hope against Serena and Venus.

"One day, I'll beat them. I think I have the weapons it takes. I just need to work harder," she added.