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Henin-Hardenne in 11th semi-final of the year in 12 tournaments
San Diego (California), Aug 02: French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne is showing that the WTA tour`s best claycourt player also can be a force on the hard courts.
San Diego (California), Aug 02: French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne is showing that the WTA tour's best claycourt player also can be a force on the hard courts.
The third-seeded Belgian routed Russia's Nadia Petrova, 6-0 6-2, in 55 minutes yesterday and advanced to the semi-finals of the 1 million-dollar Acura Classic Tennis Tournament.
"I was a little surprised because of the short match and the score was very easy," said Henin-Hardenne, who has reached the semi-finals in 11 of 12 tournaments this year."I'm just happy to be in the semis."
Henin-hardenne was joined by second-seeded compatriot Kim Clijsters, who breezed past American Lisa Raymond 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with fourth seed Lindsay Davenport.
Davenport powered past fellow American Chanda Rubin 6-3 6-3.
Ranked third in the world, Henin-Hardenne is regarded as the premier claycourt on the WTA tour, particularly after capturing the French Open for her first career grand slam title.
However, she is beginning to make an impact on the hard-court circuit, improving to 19-3 this season.
"I think i have a good game to play on hard court, but sometimes i am a little bit afraid of the power of the players because it's getting very fast and they are hitting the ball very hard," Henin-Hardenne said.
Bureau Report
The third-seeded Belgian routed Russia's Nadia Petrova, 6-0 6-2, in 55 minutes yesterday and advanced to the semi-finals of the 1 million-dollar Acura Classic Tennis Tournament.
"I was a little surprised because of the short match and the score was very easy," said Henin-Hardenne, who has reached the semi-finals in 11 of 12 tournaments this year."I'm just happy to be in the semis."
Henin-hardenne was joined by second-seeded compatriot Kim Clijsters, who breezed past American Lisa Raymond 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with fourth seed Lindsay Davenport.
Davenport powered past fellow American Chanda Rubin 6-3 6-3.
Ranked third in the world, Henin-Hardenne is regarded as the premier claycourt on the WTA tour, particularly after capturing the French Open for her first career grand slam title.
However, she is beginning to make an impact on the hard-court circuit, improving to 19-3 this season.
"I think i have a good game to play on hard court, but sometimes i am a little bit afraid of the power of the players because it's getting very fast and they are hitting the ball very hard," Henin-Hardenne said.
Bureau Report