Justine Henin-Hardenne Retains Roland-Garros French Open Title

A very focussed Justine Henin-Hardenne set about calmly defending her title today, bidding for her third womens championship title at the Roland-Garros French Open. On winning her first Grand Slam title in 2003 at the Roland Garros, she dedicated it to her mother, (who passed away in 1995), saying
"When I came here with her 11 years ago I said 'One day maybe I'll be on that court and maybe I'll win.' And today I did."

Currently seeded 5, and former world ranked number one Justine meets Svetlana Kuznetsova,who is seeded 8 and is best known as a successful doubles player.

Svetlana is bidding for her first French Open Title, having lost in the previous two years to the winners Anastasia Myskina (2004), and Justine Henin-Hardenne (2005), despite having match points against both players. She will be looking to consolidate her highest Singles accolade to date, winning the US Open in 2004, and making it third time lucky in the French Open final. Sadly it wasn't to be.

A five times Grand Slam doubles finalist, Svetlana a career high No3 doubles ranking in June 2004. She and her partner Alice Molik won the Australian Open Doubles Title in January 2005.

(5) Justine Hénin-Hardenne (BEL) bt (8) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) 6-4 6-4