Clijsters defeats Henin-Hardenne to win Porsche Tennis Grand Pr
Clijsters defeats Henin-Hardenne to win Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title
October 12, 2003
Kim Clijsters drove away in a Porsche for the second year running, but it was
the drama of Sunday's match at the Tennis Sporthalle that captured everyone's
attention. No. 1 against No. 2, it doesn't get much better than that, and
with the top ranking depending on the outcome.
Clijsters started the stronger, breaking in the second game, but Henin-
Hardenne erased that immediately. Games went with serve until the dramatic
10th game, where Clijsters had a set point only to be foiled by an errant
forehand. Clijsters had game points again in the 11th and 12th games, but
this was where Henin revealed her strength and self belief, hitting winners
seemingly at will. The best set played between the two yet was concluded
after 56 minutes when Clijsters hit another forehand out.
The world No. 1 started the second set strongly, almost going for broke
winning 13 of the first 14 points before Henin reasserted hersefl winning
the next three games in a row. The eighth game proved pivotal, as Henin was
missing too many first serves now and her normally reliable backhand started
letting her down. Clijsters finally clinched the game on her fourth break
point with a series of devastating forehands and backhand volleys.
Despite losing her serve leading 5-3, the world No. 1 broke in the
10th game, as Henin tamely surrendered four points on errors.
The final set started predictably, with Henin asserting herself early on,
breaking in the third game only for Clijsters to stubbornly claw back in a
12-point game. The sixth game proved decisive as Clijsters broke serve after
three deuces, as more of Henin's first serves were finding the net. The world
No. 2 didn't win another point and after two hours and 11 minutes of high
drama and tension, Kim Clijsters retained her Filderstadt title and No. 1
ranking with a back hand cross court winner (57, 64, 62), and defeat her
old rival for the first time since February and first time ever in a WTA Tour
final. The top two will renew their rivalry next week at the Swisscom
Challenge in Zurich.
Results - Sunday 12 October 2003
Singles - Finals
(1) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. (2) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) 57 64 62
Clijsters Quotes:
These are the types of matches that make tennis so much fun.
I was really enjoying the feeling of going into the third set after the first
two were so close. I was a little surprised at how fresh I was feeling at
the end of the match, and even now, as my only training last week was some
work in the pool after injuring my ankle.
On being No. 1: "It's great to be still in this position. To be No. 1 for
another week is a bonus. It's not something that's hugely important for me.
I've had to work really hard to get there, and if I go down in the record
books at the only player to get there and not win a Grand Slam, well at least
I made it into the book in the first place (laughing).
Henin-Hardenne Quotes:
I was feeling physically tired at the end of the match, and it was hard to
start the third set. It was a long match (2:11), with lots of good long
rallies. It's always disappointing to lose. Being No. 1 wasn't my main goal
- it was to win the match. Whether it happens next week or next year, I'm
not particularly bothered. I just want to focus on doing the best that I can
and finishing the year well at the Championships.
FINAL FACTS
* It was only the second time this year that the No. 1 played the No. 2
(Australian Open - S. Williams d. V. Williams)
* Clijsters joins Austin (three times), Navratilova (three times), and Hingis
(twice) as one of only four players to defend her title in Filderstadt
* Clijsters remains No. 1 by an approximate margin of 151 points when
Monday's rankings come out
* Clijsters ties Henin-Hardenne as a seven-time winner in 2003, and had won
more titles (9) in the last 12 months than any other player
* Henin was appearing in her ninth final this season and suffered her first
ever loss to Clijsters in a final in six tries (not counting 2003 Rosmalen)
Doubles - Final
(2) Lisa Raymond/Rennae Stubbs (USA/AUS) d. (1) Cara Black / Martina
Navratilova (ZIM/USA) 62 64
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