2006 FRENCH OPEN
Final
JUSTINE HENIN v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA
6-4, 6-4
Justine Henin-Hardenne looked fatigued and she was not able to control the match, a product of an aggressive opponent,
the relentless sun and the grind of
trying to win a Grand Slam title on unforgiving clay.
And yet, as so often in the past, Henin-Hardenne summoned a combination of will
and skill at all the right moments.
"The difference today was a couple of points, important points. I managed those moments better, even though we might say she was more solid than I was," said Henin-Hardenne,
a five-time major champion. "I play
tennis because of these very close situations. This tightness -- when you're
nervous, on the crucial points, on break points -- that's what I love."
Kuznetsova was very streaky, hitting fabulous winners from both sides. But
she also made too many errors on crucial points.
Henin made up for her earlier grand slam appearance in 2006, the Australian Open, where she retired due to a stomach ailment that she admitted later she could have played through although
she would not have felt good enough
to win.
USA ORDERS:
NON-USA ORDERS: