Home > Tennis > Passion rules as Justine Henin takes all in Toronto
by Aasim Shaffi on 22 August 2007
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Henin downs Jankovic for second crown: Justine Henin captured her 35th title and sixth title of the year on Sunday. Her opponent was a familiar sight, Jelena Jankovic has been on Henin's back all year round, she was planning to pounce on the Belgian after six failed attempts. It looked like the Belgian wouldn't play the final with a shoulder injury, but to the delight of the crowd she was able to make it in good form and health.
The first set was plagued by errors from both players, Henin's forehand was extremely inconsistent. Jankovic took a early lead of 4-1, but Henin rallied back to level at 5-5. By now only factor that was keeping Jankovic in the first set was Henin's uncharacteristic forehand errors. Henin decided to gamble on her set point with a big forehand return, but she missed miserably. Jankovic took advantage to take it to a first set tie breaker, but she only delayed the inevitable as Henin closed out the first set at 7-6 (3).
As the second set emerged, Jankovic kept taking the lead by a break. But Henin tried to balance out her unforced error with winners and came back to level the set at 5-5. The tension was high, the crowd didn't help as they disrupted the players on several occasions. Jankovic couldn't take the opportunity of serving for the set as she failed to to convert on six break points. Henin didn't give up as she finally converted on her sixth match point. Sealing a well deserved 7-6(3), 7-5 victory.
Henin said, "I love these situations; it's what i love the most about my job - that is my passion". Jankovic took the defeat with no shame, " I couldn't have asked for a better match - I'm right there with her and it was a high level match."
Yan Zi breaks through: China made a big move last year as they captured Grand Slam titles in women's doubles. Yan Zi is now looking to help Na Li with China's singles campaign. But what did she do? Nothing much really, just took wins off surprise Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli and defending champion and Los Angeles winner Ana Ivanovic. Her run made her the first player, outside the top 100, to make the last four of a Tier 1 event. Her Toronto campaign was so good, it took the No.1 in the world to derail her. Eventual champion Justine Henin toppled the two-handed sensation in a 6-3, 6-0 victory. She may have been the world No.169 last week, but her Cinderella story propels her to the No.78 spot - and counting.
Russia's Elena Dementieva and 1999-2000 champion Martina Hingis from Switzerland, both suffered early-round loses. France's Tatiana Golovin finally found great form on the North American hard courts as she reached the semi-finals, where she lost in a three-set thriller to Jelena Jankovic. Nadia Petrova also had a good week, before losing to eventual champion Justine Henin in the quarter-finals.
Overall it has been a good week of tennis, but Henin comes out on top and looks promising to take her seventh Grand Slam, at Flushing Meadows.
Comments (1)
by Torria on August 23, 2007
but...If Venus nor Serena wins the USO it will be an under dog year.
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