Henin beats Sharapova to retain title

Belgium's Justine Henin celebrates after beating Russia's Maria Sharapova in the final of the end-of-season WTA championship tournament in Madrid on Sunday. Henin won 5-7, 7-5, 6-3. Inset: Henin (left) and Sharapova hold their trophies at the awarding ceremony. AFP

"I think I can still improve a lot, in my attitude especially," the 25-year-old Belgian said after her dramatic 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 victory over the Russian at the Madrid Arena.

"I wouldn't say I played my best tennis, I was just fighting a lot. I played with my heart and it was great because that brings a lot of emotions. But I have to keep improving my aggressive game, moving forward and taking my opportunities."

The world No 1 was edged out by Sharapova in the first set as she experienced problems on her serve and struggled to cope with her opponent's powerful ground strokes.

She hit back in the second and then found another gear in the third to clinch a thrilling victory in three hours 24 minutes.

"She pushed me a lot and we were both pretty nervous at the end in the first set," said Henin. "She was better at that time but I started to play much better at the end of the second set. I was aggressive and I played down the line.

"In the third set it was very physical and mental and I think it is great to have this kind of match in the women's game.

"What a way to finish the season; it is the best I could dream of. A lot of things happened but I'm so relieved and happy."

Henin claimed nine other titles, including Grand Slam victories in France and the US Open, and ended the year on a 25-match winning streak after she became the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1989 to go undefeated in the second half of the season, post Wimbledon.

She said her sights were now set on reclaiming the Australian Open title she won in 2004 after missing this year's tournament because of personal problems following her separation from her husband.

"I was sad I wasn't in Australia this year and I hope to take my revenge in a few weeks," she said. "It's time now for a good rest, time for holiday and two weeks off and then I'll start my preparations."

Henin also became the first player to claim 10 tour titles in a year since Martina Hingis won 12 in 1997, and the first to break the $5-million barrier in prize money in a season.

Sharapova, who was back close to her best after struggling with injury problems for much of the season, said she was delighted with such a strong finish to the year.

"It's been a pretty rough year for me with all the injuries and two weeks ago I didn't even know if I was going to play here, let alone get to the final," said the 20-year-old. "I'm so thankful to have got here.

"I hope we can play many more times so I can get my revenge."

Confident start

Henin, who had won five of her previous seven meetings with Sharapova, made a confident start, winning her first service game to love and breaking the Russian's serve in the third.

Sharapova hit back immediately, earning two break points with a powerful forehand pass and slamming a deep return on to Henin's toes to take the game.

There was nothing to separate the two players until the 12th game, an epic affair in which Henin's serve let her down as she committed four double faults.

Henin managed to hang on and save seven set points before her serve finally cracked, a loose backhand giving Sharapova another chance to break and a miscued forehand allowing the Russian to take the set.

The match began to swing in Henin's favor when she broke in the ninth game of the second set with a wonderful, whipped cross-court winner.

Agencies

(China Daily 11/13/2007 page22)