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Serena slayer brims with confidence after defeating Bedanova
Berlin, May 07: Justine Henin-Hardenne began the defence of her German Open title with an emphatic win, a place in the last 16, and a warning to the Williams sisters yesterday.
Berlin, May 07: Justine Henin-Hardenne began the defence of her German Open title with an emphatic win, a place in the last 16, and a warning to the Williams sisters yesterday.
The second-seeded Belgian coped with increasing certainty against the challenge of the 20-year-old Czech, Daja Bedanova, and after a 6-4 6-1 success Henin felt confident enough to make optimistic predictions.
"I think that things may be going to change a little," she said. "I beat serena for the first time this year, and although she's a great opponent, when she comes back I will be ready."
Henin's victory over Serena Williams took place last month in Charleston, after which the world number one announced her withdrawal from this week's German Open.
A further disappointment came when Venus Williams, the elder sister, also withdrew here after injuring stomach muscles in the Warsaw final on Sunday - but Henin was not prepared to acknowledge it as such.
"I am more concerned with what I am trying to do," she said. "I feel great physically and mentally. I have never worked so hard before, and I worked so hard that sometimes I was crying. I am only 20 and there are many ways for me to get better."
Henin and the Williams sisters cannot meet up until next week's Masters in Rome, where Serena returns to action, but she is determined to build up some clay court momentum.
Bureau Report
The second-seeded Belgian coped with increasing certainty against the challenge of the 20-year-old Czech, Daja Bedanova, and after a 6-4 6-1 success Henin felt confident enough to make optimistic predictions.
"I think that things may be going to change a little," she said. "I beat serena for the first time this year, and although she's a great opponent, when she comes back I will be ready."
Henin's victory over Serena Williams took place last month in Charleston, after which the world number one announced her withdrawal from this week's German Open.
A further disappointment came when Venus Williams, the elder sister, also withdrew here after injuring stomach muscles in the Warsaw final on Sunday - but Henin was not prepared to acknowledge it as such.
"I am more concerned with what I am trying to do," she said. "I feel great physically and mentally. I have never worked so hard before, and I worked so hard that sometimes I was crying. I am only 20 and there are many ways for me to get better."
Henin and the Williams sisters cannot meet up until next week's Masters in Rome, where Serena returns to action, but she is determined to build up some clay court momentum.
Bureau Report