Henin-Hardenne wins Dubai Open in thriller

By Chris Davies
February 26 2003

Justine Henin-Hardenne came back from Championship point down to beat Monica Seles in a three set battle to win the Dubai Duty Free Woman Open

Seles started the first games better off rattling the Belguim but she was the first one to cause a blow by breaking serve for a 2-1 lead. But Seles broke back immediately for 2-2 only for Henin-Hardenne to break back for 3-2 then held serve for 4-2. Errors started to creep into Justine's game and was pushed on the back foot as Seles went ahead in the match at claimed the first set aswell, 6-4.


The American went ahead early in the second set and looked to be in control but fell 0-40 behind at 3-1 and allowed Henin-Hardenne back into the match. Service's became more tense towards the end of the set with break points appearing but managing to hold onto the serve. Seles who was pushing for her 58th career title gained Championship Points at 5-4 on Henin-Hardenne's serve but just couldn't manage to get those in the bag after some long rallies and the errors from Seles which cost her the match. The number 1 seed then forced it into a tie-break and claimed it 7-4 and take it into a decider.

Throughout the final set numerous trade of breaks were swaped with the a crucial break coming at 4-4 when Seles broke the Belguim's serve to lead and serve out for the match but was broken and the match levelled back to 5-5 all again. This time Henin-Hardenne seemed to be more determined to clinch the match and held her serve forcing Seles to serve to stay in the match. But Seles couldn't handle it and Henin-Hardenne claimed the title on her first match point.

Martina Navratilova claimed her 168th title when she and Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Elena Likhovtseva and Cara Black in straight sets 6-3, 7-6


1 J HENIN-HARDENNE bt
3 M SELES

4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5

M Navratilova/S Kuznetsova bt
C Black/E Likhovtseva

6-3, 7-6