Henin trusts to luck for final French test
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Justine Henin-Hardenne gave her age away yesterday. She said the tension of waiting for a major final gave her positive energy. "I like those days," the Belgian mused. "The day before D-Day." And we thought Mary Pierce was pushing it at 30.
Justine Henin-Hardenne gave her age away yesterday. She said the tension of waiting for a major final gave her positive energy. "I like those days," the Belgian mused. "The day before D-Day." And we thought Mary Pierce was pushing it at 30.
Neither of tomorrow's women's singles finalists is old enough to remember the last time a Briton won the boys' title in Paris. That could not be said about Martina Navratilova, 48, who reached the mixed-doubles final yesterday with Leander Paes. It was in 1972, when Buster Mottram won.
Andrew Murray, the 18-year-old Scot who holds the US Open junior title, spoke confidently yesterday of emulating Mottram. Having beaten Juan-Martin Del Potro, of Argentina, 6-4, 6-2 he plays Marin Cilic, a towering 16-year-old Croat, for a place in the final.
Murray, a wild card for next week's Stella Artois Championships at Queen's Club, disclosed the main reason why he had parted from his Colombian coach, Pato Alvarez: "Off the court we were arguing a lot, and he was saying bad things about my tennis and about me. He said if I continue like I have been the last two months, I'm not going to be any good. If I have the same mentality as I do now, there's no chance of me doing well. But the reason for me being like that is because I wasn't happy off the court. So that's why I had to stop."
In tomorrow's women's final, Pierce, the 2000 champion, faces the 2003 winner Henin, who turned 23 on Wednesday.
"The number 23 is my age, 23 matches is my unbeaten run, and 23 is the number of tournaments I've played," Henin said after beating Nadia Petrova, of Russia, 6-2, 6-3. "It's my lucky number."
Luck may not come into it. Not only does Henin possess the best backhand in the women's game, but yesterday she also unleashed an impressive inside-out forehand.
Pierce, born in Montreal but French on her mother's side, had a 6-1, 6-1 win against another Russian, Elena Likhovtseva.
Henin has won their three previous matches - on clay, grass and concrete - without dropping a set.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments