Justine Henin and the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have dominated women's tennis this year. Serena and Justine have battled it to the last ball on four occasions this year.

When their rivalry is mentioned, the French Open 2003 comes up in a flash. Serena was red hot from her very own Serena Slam, and Henin was looking to take her first Grand slam. Justine put her hand up when returning Serena’s first serve, but Serena was in the middle of her service action and hit the ball into the net. Henin said she didn’t put her hand up and dispute occurred, the French crowd did nothing but get their noses into it. But how has the epic rivalry unraveled this year?

Henin in charge: Justine has beaten Serena three times this year, while the American has only scored one win against the Belgian. But don’t let that fool you, the wins and loses are more interesting then they seem.

'People suggest Henin is the better performer due to her beautiful consistency and Serena is the better player due to her sheer talent to dominate'


Miami was the first battle scene where Serena was the hot favorite by a mile. Maria Sharapova had big promises for 2007, but Serena’s return simply wiped her out. The fact that Henin was still scared of her only helped Serena. It was crucial that Henin won, or else what hope of competition was there left? Serena took victory after a shaky start 0-6 7-5 6-3. Henin lost two match points in the second set. Serena earned her win.

Bitter memories came into our minds when they stepped on to court in the French Open quarter-final. Henin had to win this match. She needed to say to Serena: "You may be able to dominate but this is my turf and my surface." But we were looking at the wrong player; it was Serena who cracked. Trading in her brilliant ground strokes for sluggish slices, Henin took the win with pride, 6-4 6-3. Serena may have turned up with a crazy mind set but Justine earned that win fair and square. The hopes of a competitive year still remained.

Serena cramped badly at Wimbledon against Daniela Hantuchova, but she showed heroics by coming through it. Henin once again awaited her in the quarter-finals. Plagued with a thumb injury, Henin took advantage of Serena’s injury as she won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. If the injury wasn’t there I would definitely put my money on Serena, even without her lethal backhand she still took a set.

Now fighting it out on home soil at Flushing Meadows, Serena wanted to come back from her thumb injury.  Henin once again approached the younger Williams sister in the quarter-finals. Serena Williams may have still been struggling on the road of recovery but Henin played fantastic tennis that saw her through 7-6(3) 6-1.

Their career head-to-head is tied at 6-6; Henin seems in control right now. But that could easily change as it has done before. There are so many opinions on their stunning rivalry. Extreme opinions like Serena faking injuries and mixed opinions of Henin's behavior at the French Open in 2003 still remain in confusion to this very day.

People suggest Henin is the better performer due to her beautiful consistency and Serena is the better player due to her sheer talent to dominate. I personally favor Serena but the debate is so sturdy that no opinion goes without serious criticism.

So who is the better of the two - Justine or Serena? Post your comments below or submit an article to Sportingo.