Justine Henin Grabs First Win on Grass over Serena Williams at Wimbledon
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Jul 4, 2007 | Print |
Top seed Justine Henin remained on track to capture the one major title that has eluded her with a determined 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over two-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams.
Serena’s loss also ends hopes that once again fans would see an All-Williams Grand Slam final.
Even though Serena appeared to be rebounding well from the calf injury she sustained on Monday, she still was no match for the brilliance of world number one Justine Henin.
A lob at 4-all gave Justine the first break of the match for an early lead. Even though her first-serve percentage was only 41%, Justine easily served out the first set without giving Serena so much as a look at a break point in the entire set.
The women exchanged breaks during much of the second set, before a successful challenge on set point about an ace gave Serena a chance to level the match.
Whatever momentum Serena had gained in the second set was quickly erased when Justine raced to a 4-1 lead in less than twenty minutes. Justine kept the pressure up in Serena’s next service game and broke her serve, but a poor drop shot on break point while trying to serve out the match allowed Serena to claw back to 5-2.
By the time Serena easily held her next service game, the tension and strain was clearly evident on Justine’s face.
Points were ending with shrieks, fist pumps, and yells from both women. Henin finally forced her first match point at 5-3, but a poor serve-and-volley attempt on her part ended in the net. A solid serve followed by a bad forehand from Serena set up match point number two, and finally a loose backhand from the seventh seed gave Justine Henin a spot in the semifinals.
Henin will next face France’s Marion Bartoli.
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Nick | Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Great match from Justine and Serena, this was definitely what the fans wanted…a tough three sets from both players!
Justine was ready for this one so she didn’t choke up like Miami, great match for the fans after all those horrible rain!
Wilson Spaulding | Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Serena Williams didn’t have all that heavy wrapping on her left leg and thumb for cosmetic purposes. No, it was evident that she was not playing at full capacity. But she decided to go out there anyway and give it a shot. Serena did not make it easy for Justine despite her less that excellent physical state. Henin was solid through the first set, somehow Serena got the upper hand in the second and then Justine pulled out the third set win. Justine got the job done.
Dk | Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Ugh, Serena is such a Drama Queen. First this ‘leg injury’ and now a ‘thumb injury’. You think she would have said word one about her thumb if she won? No, she’s a cry baby loser, and it reflects badly on her that she can’t just let someone else win, she has to be the one who ‘let it get away’ that’s a bad way to play tennis and poor sportsmanship.
Steven | Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
It was obvious that Serena wasn’t at her best, even though she moved very well. That said, I still think Justine would have won. The belgian’s game seemed more complete, with the vast array of stokes at her command. Justine had a poor service day too, basically winning on her second serve. Her first service percentage was around 65% earlier in the week…..today it was more like 40%, so she wasn’t at the top of her game either. The match against sister Venus, if it comes, should be a real slug-fest. Whoever shows up with their “A” game will hoist the trophy.
DT | Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
I am SICK AND TIRED of Serena not giving credit where credit is due. She keeps saying, “When I’m playing my game, no one can beat me.” I feel when she “isnt playing her game” it’s because the other player has taken her out of her element, so she can’t play her game, and she needs to be a better sport and confess that she lost.