Henin-Hardenne takes another title
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Henin-Hardenne powers to a third Grand Slam crown in Melbourne
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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Justine Henin-Hardenne triumphed in the latest battle of the Belgians to claim the Australian Open title on Saturday as Kim Clijsters' Grand Slam jinx struck again.
The 21-year-old, who had defeated Clijsters in last year's French and US Open finals, secured the third Grand Slam crown of her career 6-3 4-6 6-3 in one hour 47 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.
Jubilant Henin-Hardenne sank to her knees after securing the 16th title of her career saying: "It's a great victory for me."
The world No. 3 added: "It was really emotional, both of us were really nervous. I have three Grand Slam titles now, it's wonderful."
Henin-Hardenne paid tribute to her husband Pierre-Yves and coach Carlos Rodriguez for their part in the victory.
"They gave me unbelievable support. I wasn't playing that well at the beginning of the tournament.
"They just helped me to believe in myself, and believe in my game. It's their victory too. I think we are an unbelievable team."
World No. 2 Clijsters, 20, saw her dream of a first Grand Slam title finally dashed after she had fought back from 0-4 down in the final set to break Henin-Hardenne twice for 3-4.
Her rally was snuffed out when Henin-Hardenne scored a controversial service break to go 5-3 up after a Clijsters forehand smash called in by the line-judge was overruled by French chair umpire Sandra de Jenken.
Television replays showed the ball was good.
Clijsters, who had earlier double-faulted when holding a game point to level, complained angrily but to no avail as boos rang around the stadium with fiance Lleyton Hewitt in the stands.
Clijsters complains when the umpire overrules a call on a critical point
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Henin-Hardenne then served out confidently for the title, sealing victory by hammering an unstoppable serve down the middle.
Clijsters said of the overrule: "It's disappointing, and a couple of people have told me that it was in, which makes it doubly disappointing. But we all make mistakes so I'm not going to complain about it."
Instead she praised Henin-Hardenne's extraordinary ability to retrieve shots.
"She gets so many shots back that you have to play. It's almost not natural. She moved me out of my comfort zone today and that was one of the big differences," said Clijsters.
The win saw Henin-Hardenne go level with Clijsters in head-to-head meetings at 9-9 but she has now beaten her in seven consecutive WTA and Grand Slam finals.
Clijsters, meanwhile, was left to contemplate her fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final, a victory which will once again raise questions about her big-match temperament.
Henin-Hardenne had started in supreme form, breaking service twice to take the first set in 30 minutes, pulling Clijsters all around the court with some artfully constructed rallies.
She was also serving effectively, dropping only four points on serve throughout the first set as Clijsters struggled to find her range.
But there was a dramatic turnaround late in the second set when Clijsters, who had looked headed for defeat after being broken to trail 2-4, hit back to break twice and level the match at one set apiece.
Clijsters, who went into the final with an injured left ankle, had a battle to hold serve in the 10th game and was down a break point but served out for the second set 6-4 in 42 minutes.
Yet Henin-Hardenne hit back strongly in the final set, breaking Clijsters in the second and fourth games to lead 4-0.
Yet again Clijsters clawed back, breaking Henin-Hardenne twice but she could not serve it out to 4-4, losing service on the contentious line-call and being given no chance of a break as Henin-Hardenne held for the match.
