Henin-Hardenne's quick thinking edges out Seles

During one of the lighter moments of last week's women's Dubai Duty Free Open, Martina Navratilova's doubles partner, Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, called the trainer to the court to spray her hair, which was blowing in her eyes. Today's players, it seems, are either lacquered or knackered.

The latter applies to those in pursuit of the Williams sisters, whose stranglehold on the women's game is both admirable and frustrating. After shading Monica Seles, the world No 11, in Saturday's thrilling singles final here, 4-6, 7-6, 7-5, Justine Henin-Hardenne, the world No 4, was asked the inevitable question: Can Serena and Venus be beaten? "Mentally, it's hard for us," the 20-year-old Belgian said. "Maybe we have a little bit too much respect for the situation. They are both great champions and they are playing so well, and they are very strong, mentally and physically. I think all the other players have to stay focused and change the way we think."

Henin-Hardenne certainly had to think quickly on her feet to win her first title of the season. The irrepressible Seles may be in her 30th year, but she is still moving well and cracking the ball with confidence. The American had a match point in the second set, served for the match at 5-4 in the third set, and saved three match points at 5-6.

"I just love hitting that ball, and I'm lucky my body allows me to," Seles said, adding that her matches with Henin are always keenly contested (Seles won the first four and lost in last year's Wimbledon quarter-finals, before her Henin got married in November and hyphenated her name).

Seles's match point with her opponent serving at 4-5, 30-40 in the second set proved to be the crux of their latest battle, which lasted two hours and 45 minutes. Eighty-eight minute had elapsed when Seles and Henin-Hardenne duelled intensely for that crucial point, darting about the court and finding breathtaking angles during a lengthy rally which ended with Seles netting a backhand.

"I just tried to be aggressive without making a mistake that would give her the match," said Henin-Hardenne, who had double-faulted twice early in the game. "I ran a lot, all over the court, and she did, too. She could have won the point, but I played solid and it changed the match."

The evening's second inevitable question concerned Seles's will to continue her career. Physically, the nine-year age difference had not been obvious on the court. "I really don't think in terms of stopping playing tennis because of age," she said. "It's more the mental wear of the travelling and being so committed to the game, because in my opinion it's a very one-dimensional lifestyle. I don't think age will hold you back if you want to make that commitment."

We had seen evidence of that earlier as the 46-year-old Navratilova won her third doubles title in seven weeks, including the mixed doubles at the Australian Open with India's Leander Paes. Navratilova and the 17-year-old Kuznetsova defeated Cara Black, of Zimbabwe, and Elena Likhovtseva, of Russia. 6-3, 7-6. It was Navratilova's 168th women's doubles title, one more than her number of singles championships.