PARIS (AFP) — The French Tennis Federation (FFT) sprung a surprise here on Thursday by selecting Mary Pierce ahead of former world number one Amelie Mauresmo for the singles squad for the Beijing Olympics.
Pierce, who hasn't played since 2006, got the nod over 2006 Wimbledon champion Mauresmo, who has been retained for the doubles.
Mauresmo, ranked 33rd as of June 23, has had a dismal clay court season, winning just one match at Roland Garros before losing to a Spanish qualifier then pulling out of this month's WTA Eastbourne with an injury.
The French have fielded a strong men's singles squad, with all four players ranked in the top 30 in the world.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, ranked 13th, will join this year's Roland Garros semi-finalist Gael Monfils, who pulled out of Wimbledon with a shoulder injury.
Paul-Henri Mathieu, ranked 16, and 29th seed Gilles Simon make up the men's contingent.
French squad
Men's singles:
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Gilles Simon, Paul-Henri Mathieu
Women's singles:
Mary Pierce, Alize Cornet, Tatiana Golovin, Virginie Razzano
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