Fit-again Pierce returns to Paris

Mary Pierce maintains she is "in good shape"

Top seeded Mary Pierce leads the French bid for a home win in the Paris Indoor Open WTA tournament which begins on Tuesday.

The world number eight plays her first match in France since being crowned French Open champion in June.

Pierce only returned to the circuit last month after four months out to injury.

She is hoping that she can recapture some of the form that landed her the crown here last year.

"It's going good. I'm doing a lot of sport and very physical training and am in good shape," said Pierce on Monday.

"I wanted to return to France and play in Paris again. It always feels good to be here," she said.

Pierce returned to the WTA circuit at the Canberra International in January after a four-month absence because of a shoulder injury which ended her US Open ambitions.

Pierce: I'm under no pressure

The Montreal-born player was eliminated in the semi-final in Canberra by compatriot Sandrine Testud and crashed out of the Australian Open tournament she won in 1995 in the third round with a thigh injury.

Pierce is now favourite to take the Paris title, following the withdrawal of world number five Serena Williams due to extreme fatigue following the Australian Open.

However, Pierce said she didn't feel the pressure of expectations to win again in Paris.

"It doesn't make any difference. It's always the same when you play a tournament whatever the opposition."