The reason that the Davenport 4th round match was brought up is because in many interviews I’ve read – Justine and Carlos mention the Australian Open match. They also name the Seles Dubai match as a big breakthrough because it was a finals clash.

Just thought I would let you know I am an unabashed Henin fan! And very sad she has left the sport …

You raise valid points about the earlier stages of her career – she certainly did perform exceptionally well. However, despite pushing some of the top players during that 1999-2002 period – and even beating the likes of Capriati at Wimbledon 2001 and Serena at Berlin in 2002 – they were not turning points that translated to Grand Slam success, because she never won a Slam until much later.

As for her record against the Williams sisters, up until her 2003 Charleston final against Serena, her combined win-loss record against the sisters was 2-11. Seven of those 11 losses were in straight sets. She troubled them from time to time, but the stats would indicate they had her measure.

Justine’s marathon win over Davenport in the 2003 Australian Open actually occured in the 4th round. She then easily beat Virginia Ruano-Pascual in the quarterfinals before succumbing to Williams in the semifinals – several days after the Davenport match.

I think it therefore could be argued that it was her performances following Australian Open 2003 that were the catalyst for her breakthrough at Roland Garros four months later.

Too bad she was tired (less than 24 hours!) to recover from the nearly 3 hours match with Davenport in 2003 in
the Australian Open to have the energy left to defeat Venus Williams in the final. Poor girl had to battle the cramps, and dehydration!