Henin-Hardenne Triumphs at Eastbourne
Justine Henin-Hardenne is the 2006 Hastings Direct International
Champion after a memorable three-set win over Russian Anastasia
Myskina, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(5). In one of the most entertaining
finals in recent years, both players produced top class tennis
in front of a packed Centre Court.
Henin-Hardenne, on the back of her French Open victory earlier
this month, made the more assured start and took a 4-2 first
set lead. However, fifth seed Myskina then produced a series
of stunning ground-strokes and won the next four games to
wrap up the first set in 41 minutes.
After trading breaks at the start of the second, Henin-Hardenne
started to stamp her authority on proceedings and comfortably
won the second set 6-1, levelling the match at one-set-all.
However, to her great credit, Myskina quickly rediscovered
her touch and a tense third set eventually went to a tie-break
after Henin-Hardenne failed to convert three match points
when leading 6-5. The Belgian eventually wrapped-up the tie-break
7-5, along with the Championship, in a minute under two hours.
A sell-out Devonshire Court crowd, basking in the afternoon
sunshine, had been treated to a feast of world-class tennis.
After winning the Hastings Direct trophy at the first attempt,
Henin-Hardenne acknowledged that the final could have gone
either way. She said: “I was too defensive in the first
set, even at 4-2. At the beginning of the second set I came
forward more and attacked. Anastasia is back to her best,
I saw her practice and she has a great game for grass. She
tried everything, played a great match and she could have
won it.”
The delighted champion went on to praise the tournament and
indicated that it wouldn’t be the last time the Eastbourne
public sees her in action. “The week has very good organisation,
all the players are relaxed and it’s a great tournament.
The courts are perfect, it’s great preparation for Wimbledon
and I’ll come back for sure.”
Despite not picking up the trophy, Myskina was happy with
the way she played this week. “It was a great tournament
for me and I played really, really good and showed that I
can have a great year. I’m hungry, I want to win again
and I’m pretty close to my best form. I’ve been
working really hard, I’ve got a bigger team around me
and everything is good.”
The doubles was won by world number one Amelie Mauresmo and
Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova who were 6-2, 6-4 victors over
South African Liezel Huber and crowd favourite Martina Navratilova.
Shortly after announcing that this year would be her last
at the Eastbourne tournament, Navratilova was presented with
a commemorative photograph, celebrating her being given Freedom
of the Borough of Eastbourne. She will certainly be missed
at Devonshire Park.
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