San Diego, Aug 04: Justine Henin-Hardenne wins Acura Classic tennis. In a repeat of the French Open final, Belgium's Justin Henin-Hardenne won the 2003 Acura Classic on Sunday (August 4) after defeating compatriot Kim Clijsters, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Second seed Clijsters swept into a 4-0 lead. But Henin-Hardenne, seeded three, began to get into her game. She broke back in the fifth game and then held her serve to trail 4-2. Clijsters, however, was unfazed by the recovery and served out to take the set 6-3. After lengthy treatment for a blistered foot, Henin-Hardenne started the second set in much the same way her compatriot had started the first - thanks mainly to a sudden string of errors from Clijsters. In a complete turnaround, Henin-Hardenne effortlessly established a 4-0 lead. The fifth game saw Clijsters begin to reduce her unforced errors as she went on to break service by winning the best rally of the match. But the recovery of form was too late and Henin-Hardenne took the set 6-2. The final set was more evenly balanced and produced some great shots and highly entertaining exchanges from the two Belgians.


But the French Open champion looked the most composed. She made the crucial break to lead 5-3 and served out the match to win her fifth title of the year.


In all their meetings, it was the first time Henin-Hardenne had come back from a set down to beat Clijsters.

Bureau Report