Justine Henin-Hardenne Wins Thrilling Final - 網球

http://eastbourne.lta.org.uk/News/060624Finals2.htm

Justine Henin-Hardenne Wins Thrilling Final

Justine Henin-Hardenne is the 2006 Hastings Direct International Champion
after a memorable three-set win over Russian Anastasia Myskina, 4-6, 6-1,
7-6(5). In one of the most entertaining finals in recent years, both players
produced top class tennis in front of a packed Centre Court.

Henin-Hardenne, on the back of her French Open victory earlier this month,
made the more assured start and took a 4-2 first set lead. However, fifth
seed Myskina then produced a series of stunning ground-strokes and won the
next four games to wrap up the first set in 41 minutes.

After trading breaks at the start of the second, Henin-Hardenne started to
stamp her authority on proceedings and comfortably won the second set 6-1,
levelling the match at one-set-all. However, to her great credit, Myskina
quickly rediscovered her touch and a tense third set eventually went to a
tie-break after Henin-Hardenne failed to convert three match points when
leading 6-5. The Belgian eventually wrapped-up the tie-break 7-5, along with
the Championship, in a minute under two hours.

A sell-out Devonshire Court crowd of 5,432, basking in the afternoon
sunshine, had been treated to a feast of world-class tennis.

After winning the Hastings Direct trophy at the first attempt, Henin-Hardenne
acknowledged that the final could have gone either way. She said: “I was too
defensive in the first set, even at 4-2. At the beginning of the second set I
came forward more and attacked. Anastasia is back to her best, I saw her
practice and she has a great game for grass. She tried everything, played a
great match and she could have won it.”

The delighted champion went on to praise the tournament and indicated that it
wouldn’t be the last time the Eastbourne public sees her in action. “The
week has very good organisation, all the players are relaxed and it’s a
great tournament. The courts are perfect, it’s great preparation for
Wimbledon and I’ll come back for sure.”

Despite not picking up the trophy, Myskina was happy with the way she played
this week. “It was a great tournament for me and I played really, really
good and showed that I can have a great year. I’m hungry, I want to win
again and I’m pretty close to my best form. I’ve been working really hard, I
’ve got a bigger team around me and everything is good.”


[24.06.06]

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