Posted on 09/08/2007 10:24:54 PM PDT by Ghayyour
Justine Henin cruised to a second US Open and seventh Grand Slam title with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova in Saturday's final. The Belgian went into the match with a 14-2 record against Kuznetsova, and having beaten Serena and Venus Williams in her last two matches.
And Henin, 25, played some more fabulous tennis as she broke three times in dominating the first set.
She kept up that form in the second to regain the title she first won in 2003.
"It's such a great feeling - my first win four years ago was an amazing memory and this is just fantastic," said Henin.
"I want to thank my coach Carlos Rodriguez who has made me a better player and a better person." It was a disappointing match as a contest but that was more to do with Henin's brilliance than a particularly bad performance from Kuznetsova.
The Russian, who won the title in 2004, has been playing well enough to ensure she will be ranked second in the world come Monday but was out of her depth against Henin.
Winners flowed from the Belgian's racquet from the outset and the pace of her groundstrokes and attacking game plan simply overwhelmed Kuznetsova at first.
Henin moved 4-0 clear with some heavy forehands and sharp net play, and Kuznetsova's only game of the set was a brief respite from the onslaught.
A few Henin double faults gave Kuznetsova moments of hope in the second set but when the top seed came back from 40-0 down to break in game four, it was as good as over.
The only wobble for Henin came when she served for the title, with two more double faults seeing her face three break points. But Kuznetsova could not find the necessary consistency at key moments and, after a Henin ace, two errors let the world number one off the hook.
When championship point arrived, Henin closed out a fine rally with a delicate lob volley that, for the final time, left Kuznetsova stranded.
Kuznetsova said: "I think the match was much closer than the score, for sure.
"When she plays her best game I have to play my best game. I didn't play my best game so that's why I lost.
"She is number one now and I think she deserves it. She works very hard. She's very professional.
"She still had some ups and downs today, and I just didn't use it."
Henin vs Venus Williams in the semifinal was the real championship match.
Henin was too dominate in the final, and she wasn’t even serving as well as she could have. Tremendous player.
Henin is too good mentally. And, she doesn't scream like a bansee at every stroke.
It's just proof positive of the huge disparity in womens tennis. The #10 & higher players rarely beat the top 5 players.
I think it’s been something like 12 years since there’s been a women’s U.S. Open final that was NOT won in straight sets. I can’t imagine these matches have been getting good television ratings.
Liza Minelli singing “God Bless America” today was one of the most painful things I’ve ever heard. :-(
Why do some people think she has talent?
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