Justine Henin-Hardenne wins gold in Athens

By Laura Weydandt
August 22 2004

Belgium woman Justine Henin-Hardenne won the gold medal at the tennis Olympic event in Athens. Silver went to Amélie Mauresmo, who lost 6:3 6:3 against Henin Hardenne in the final. Alicia Molik won the bronze medal after a victory over Anastasia Myskina.

Henin-Hardenne, who had a 3 months break because of a nasty viral infection, played a great tennis during the whole week.

“ It is like she was never away”, people said after Henin-Hardennes second victory over french woman Amélie Mauresmo this year.

After Henin-Hardenne’s great win over Anastasia Myskina (7:5 5:7 8:6) in the semi-finals, nobody believed she could not win the gold medal.

Indeed Henin-Hardenne played a strong final against Amélie Mauresmo. At their last meeting at the tournament in Amelia Island, Mauresmo won in three close sets, but this time the world number two had no chance against Henin-Hardenne.

Anastasia Myskina, who only lost close against Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals, had much bad luck and lost her bronze match against australian Alicia Molik 6:3 6:4.