PARIS, May 24 (AFP) - It would have made a good French Open final - but such is the depth of talent in women's tennis these days that world number one Martina Hingis will have to deal with a grudge match in the second round. Although unseeded, Amelie Mauresmo looms as a real threat to top seed Hingis on the red clay at Roland Garros - and the French player has nothing to fear, having already beaten her rival in the Paris Open in February. And while the muscular Mauresmo has dropped down the rankings since going down to Hingis in the Australian Open final, she will have the advantage of a fiercely partisan crowd behind her. That doesn't bother Hingis, who says she knows a hothouse atmosphere awaits her on Wednesday as she continues to chases her first senior French Open title. "I know what to expect more or less. She's a big hero here now in France and it's definitely going to be a good match between us," said Hingis, who swept aside Dutch player Amanda Hopmans in straight sets in her opener on Monday, winning 6-1, 6-4. Mauresmo later looked equally confident in knocking out Tara Snyder of the United States 6-3, 6-3. Hingis will have to overcome a hostile crowd as well as Mauresmo's fearsome groundstrokes, after making derogatory remarks about the French girl in Melbourne. The Swiss star claimed that the meaty Mauresmo - who makes no secret of her lesbianism - was "half a man". The comment sparked visible ill-feeling between the two, and although Mauresmo claims that's all behind them now, she admitted after Monday's win that "maybe what happened will give me extra motivation". The up-and-coming French player says she has a good chance of springing a surprise. "I know I have a chance - after all I beat her in Paris. I didn't play great today but it will do for starters," she said. Asked if she was disappointed to be facing Hingis at such an early stage, Mauresmo shrugged and said: "That's the way it is - that's how the draw went." Hingis said she thought a tough challenge in the early stages would do her good. "Sometimes it is better to play somebody early when you are still fresh and excited about the tournament," said the Swiss teen. Hingis insisted her loss to Mauresmo in the Paris Indoors in February had not been a major blow. "It wasn't a huge loss," she said. "But she is a dangerous player and I'll certainly be taking her seriously. "You are always a bit nervous before Grand Slams start and you have to get over these matches. The clay was even slower than I expected and I was already mentally looking forward to the next match." Against a player of Mauresmo's calibre, Hingis - who has won five Slams already in her short career - will certainly not be able to afford to make that mistake again.  