Tough Win for Henin - 網球

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Tough Win for Henin
Wednesday, 4 July, 2007

The match everyone had been waiting for produced a tussle worth seeing and a
win for Justine Henin on Centre Court today. Her much-anticipated
quarter-final against Serena Williams was a finely balanced affair for two
sets, but in the third the Belgian eased away to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. She will
play Marion Bartoli in the semi-finals.

This match followed directly on from Venus Williams’ shock triumph over
Maria Sharapova. When it began, many were wondering if Wimbledon might once
again be heading for an all-Williams final, as in the old times. Certainly
many people had forecasted that the winner of the Henin-Williams
quarter-final would be the player to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.

After all, these players had shared the year’s two previous Slam tournaments
between them, and they were the only two women left in the draw to have won
more than one tournament this year.

Wimbledon is the only Slam crown yet to elude Henin, while Williams has two
SW19 wins filed away. But how would Serena perform following her dramatic
collapse with agonising cramp on Monday during her fourth round win over
Daniela Hantuchova? She arrived on the Centre Court today with her left calf
strapped – but it was the strapping on her left hand that was ultimately to
prove the clue to her defeat.

With the very first point, this match was serious. A Williams volley hit
Henin in the face but there seemed to be no acknowledging gesture of apology
from the American. It signalled what was to come, with the two of them
pummelling the life out of the ball and flirting with the tramlines. Clearly
this was a far more energised Williams than the player who put up such a
disappointing display when these two last met, in the quarter-finals of the
French Open a month ago.

The set looked titanic, destined to go all the way – but it didn’t. Instead
it hinged on a horribly anti-climactic break of serve, which was all about
errors from Williams. First she netted an easy backhand volley to give Henin
two points for 5-4. Alas, she then chose the wrong shot at the net, was
easily lobbed, and the damage was done. Henin served out with comparative
ease, and now it looked a steep mountain indeed for Williams.

At the start of the second, Williams, who was limited to just a gentle hit
yesterday rather than a full workout, seemed frustrated, frequently
chastising herself out loud. Nonetheless, her speed around the court appeared
hampered only when she was obliged to change direction suddenly. Naturally
this was a tactic Henin deployed to productive effect.

Yet Williams broke Henin for 4-2 when the Belgian sent a forehand way too
long; but if anything the break seemed to throw Williams off balance, and she
found herself 0-40 down next game. Serena saved two but was outgunned on the
third. Next game a Henin forehand flew wide and Williams had the chance to
break again. She clinched it when uncharacteristically the Belgian sent a
backhand into the net. Serving for the set, Williams sealed it with an ace –
called out by the line judge, but proven to be good when Hawk-Eye supported
Serena’s challenge.

In the deciding set, Henin wobbled on her service in the opening game, yet
held. But when she got a chance of her own in the next game, she forced the
break. Williams made her work for 3-0, but the Belgian got there. At 4-1 when
Henin held to love, it looked dangerously as if Williams had finally run out
of juice. Her calf was clearly tightening, and Henin grabbed the double break.

But then the Belgian suddenly rushed her game and made some crucial errors.
Williams clambered from the turf where she had fallen in mid-point to get one
of the breaks back. But that taped left hand was clearly troubling Williams
on her double-fisted backhand, and when she sent one long it brought up match
point for Henin.

It seemed she must win but she flunked an easy volley. A super Henin serve
brought up a second opportunity, and the Williams backhand gave way again to
end the match.

Written by Kate Battersby

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小威一開始有把球打到Henin臉喔？


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