Henin, Mauresmo Set Up Wimbledon Rematch - 網球

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Henin, Mauresmo Set Up Wimbledon Rematch

EASTBOURNE, Great Britain - For the first time in nearly 30 years, the
International Women's Open final will host a rematch of the previous year's
Wimbledon final, after both Justine Henin and Amelie Mauresmo won semifinals
at the Tier II event on Friday.

World No.1 Henin was the first to advance to the championship match,
dismissing No.8 seed Marion Bartoli in one minute shy of an hour, 61 63. The
Belgian played dominant tennis from the outset to run her lifetime record
against the Frenchwoman to 2-0, an impressive 77% first serve percentage and
four service breaks highlighting the stats.

"I haven't played too long the last few days so this has been good
preparation," she said. "I feel better than last year at the same time. I am
still fresh. It was a big decision to come here and play. I am getting
better, I feel great on the court and I am enjoying it. I am happy with the
matches I have had so far this week."

No.2 seed Mauresmo reached the final when No.3 seed Nadia Petrova was forced
to stop due to a pectoral strain. Mauresmo had just won the first set, 6-4.

"It would've been good to be on court longer; I am here to play matches and
it would have been good to have another set," she said, "but that is just the
way it is and I will have another match tomorrow. It was a bit confusing at
the end."

Like Henin, Mauresmo has cruised through to the final without the loss of a
set, her first two opponents of the week winning a total of 12 games in four
sets.

"I'm pleased with how I'm playing which is the most important thing,"
Mauresmo added. "Overall I am happy to be on grass and playing well, with an
opportunity for another title. I realize there are a few things to adapt to
and improve."

Henin and Mauresmo have played 13 times before, with Henin holding a 7-6
edge. The Belgian has taken their last two encounters - in the Tour
Championships final last year and at Dubai in February - but in their only
prior meeting on grass in the Wimbledon final a year ago, the Frenchwoman
prevailed, 26 63 64.

"It will be perfect playing a strong opponent in the final," said Henin, who
holds a solid 33-16 record in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour finals. "It'll be a big
test on grass."

"Justine and I have played in finals of a few tournaments and this is a
chance to have another good match; I'll compare myself with the best player
on the Tour and see where I am," Mauresmo said. "Hopefully I can get another
title. I am expecting a tough match, but she is obviously confident. It will
be a fight."

The doubles final was almost a battle between the Top 2 seeds as well, but it
wasn't to be for No.2 seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber, who were bounced
from the event by No.3 seeds Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs, 63 26 76(4). In
the final they will face No.1 seeds Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur, who
were 62 60 winners over unseeded Russian pairing Maria Kirilenko and Elena
Likhovtseva.

Singles and doubles championship matches take the Eastbourne lawns Saturday.

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