Mauresmo appointed France Fed Cup captain

Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo will take over from Nicolas Escude as France's Fed Cup team captain, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) announced on Thursday. "Big news: @AmeMauresmo is the new captain of the France @FedCup team! Bravo Amelie," the FFT wrote on their Twitter account. Mauresmo, 33, won the FedCup as a player in 2003 and two Grand Slam titles -- the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006 -- before retiring in 2009. She has for the past few weeks been working alongside current Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who reclaimed the world number one spot after her semi-final appearance at Wimbledon. French number one Marion Bartoli, who has not played for the Fed Cup team since 2004, last week expressed her support for Mauresmo to take over as captain and left the door open on her own possible return to the national team. France are currently in the World Group II with Escude captain since 2008.