http://www.wtatour.com/newsroom/stories/NewsArticle_2915_rx.asp
January 17, 2004
World No.1 Opens Season with Title
SYDNEY, Australia - World No.1 Justine Henin-Hardenne confirmed herself as
favorite for the Australian Open title Saturday with a 64 64 win over
France's Amelie Mauresmo in the adidas International final.
The 21-year-old Belgian, playing in her first Sydney final, was too steady
for the fourth-ranked Mauresmo, champion here in 2000. Henin-Hardenne's
one-hour, 27-minute victory produced her 15th career WTA Tour singles title.
"I was feeling a little bit nervous at the beginning of the match," said
Henin-Hardenne. "I just played well when I had to. I've been more aggressive
in the second set - much more than in the first. I've been a little bit lucky
at the end of the first set. But I've been brave when I had to - I went into
the net."
Next week at Melbourne Park, Henin-Hardenne is seeded No.1 at a Grand Slam
for the first time and meets 15-year-old Australian wildcard Olivia
Lukaszewicz in the first round.
"I enjoy right now my victory. It's been a great week, like I said,"
Henin-Hardenne added. "But in two days, that's the main thing that's
gonna start, it's a Grand Slam. That's the goal for me."
While Henin-Hardenne had reached the final by virtue of a walkover from
Lindsay Davenport (right shoulder strain), Mauresmo had to play her semifinal
just hours before the championship match. The No.3 seed defeated unseeded
Italian Francesca Schiavone 63 76(2) in a match held over from Friday due
to rain.
"I think it's just a point here and there and maybe a matter of she served
very well throughout the match," said Mauresmo of the final. "I had few
opportunities in that first set which I didn't take. And then it's hard
to come back when she breaks you when she serves so well."
Mauresmo is seeded No.4 at the Australian Open also meets another wildcard
in the first round - Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei.
The 24-year-old Mauresmo was asked whether Henin-Hardenne was the
overwhelming favorite for the Australian Open title.
"I'm not sure it gives (Henin-Hardenne) more chances to win in two weeks
because she won today. I just think she is one of the favorites, obviously,
of the Australian Open - as I consider myself as well."
The doubles title was won by No.3 seed Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Rennae
Stubbs of Australia, who overcame a third-set service break to beat wildcards
Dinara Safina of Russia and American Meghann Shaughnessy 75 36 64.
It is Black's 13th career doubles title and Stubbs's 43rd.
--
monkey of the year.
▁
▕猴▏
▔
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 61.70.206.23