Henin avoids Italian job this time around - 網球

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Henin avoids Italian job this time around
By Andrew Lilley
Saturday, June 3, 2006

Lightning did not strike twice. In circumstances almost identical to 2004,
when she came to Roland Garros as champion only to lose to Tathiana Garbin,
Justine Henin-Hardenne beat her Italian nemesis this time around in straight
sets 6-4 6-0 to advance to the round of 16.

In three previous battles between the second-ranked Belgian (Henin is world
No5, behind Kim Clijsters - No2) and the sixth-ranked Italian (world No72),
Garbin had come out on top on two occasions, and her performance so far at
this year's French Open equalled her best ever, having made it to the third
round in 2000 and 2004.

This was a definite banana skin in waiting for defending champion
Henin-Hardenne, who had looked unconvincing in dealing with Maret Ani and
Anastasiya Yakimova in the opening two rounds.

The Belgian therefore needed to settle her nerves early. A backhand
crosscourt passing shot earned her a break point, then Garbin netted a
forehand, and the 2003 and 2005 champion (the only active singles player to
have won here more than once) was a break to the good after three minutes.

In the early running, Henin-Hardenne was coming to the net well, and a
combination of strong forehands followed by delicate backhands had Garbin
very much on the back foot. She could not quite find a second break, however,
despite a number of opportunities, and this gave Garbin fresh hope. By game
six, in fact, the Italian had broken back to level.

Suddenly, every forehand from the champion found the net, every backhand was
long. 'Madame Henin' held her service, but it was her Italian opponent who
was playing the more aggressive tennis. This aggression came back to haunt
her, however, as Garbin's service - usually her main weapon - faltered
slightly, and Henin pounced to break again. This was all the prompting that
the diminutive Belgian needed, and she served out comfortably to take the
first set.

In the opening game of the second, Garbin led 40-15, but an unforced error
and a disputed call (on a backhand which was clearly out) unsettled the
Italian, who then double faulted before screwing another backhand wide to
hand Henin a break on a silver platter. The Champ needed no second bidding,
holding serve and then breaking again to 15 with a combination of powerful
forehands and deft backhands.

With the crowd behind her, Henin then began to play some more expansive
tennis, forcing Garbin to retreat behind the baseline with some punching
forehands before finishing her off with some exquisite groundstrokes and drop
shots. Another break followed, and the smiling Belgian was home and dry, 6-4
6-0.

The curse of 2004 has finally been lifted, and Henin-Hardenne will face
Anastasia Myskina in the Round of 16 - the 2003/2005 winner versus the 2004
champion. A mouth-watering match in prospect...


LENGLEN - Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Justine Henin-Hardenne BEL (5) 6 6
vs.
Tathiana Garbin ITA 4 0

Match Facts
Henin-Hardenne hit 30 winners to Garbin's 8.
Henin-Hardenne did, however, make 25 unforced errors.
Neither woman served well, making less than two-thirds of their first
services.
Henin-Hardenne came to the net on 28 occasions, winning 20 points.
Garbin did not manage a single successful drop shot.

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Henin還上真多次網耶 ....
有人知道上面講的 banana skin是啥意思阿？

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