Justine Henin-Hardenne retires with hand injury

Ordina Open Holland
By Etienne Stekelenburg
June 21 2003

The all-Belgian final at the Ordina Open in ‘sHertogenbosch Holland suddenly ended in the second set. Justine Henin-Hardenne retires at 0-3 behind after winning the first set tiebreak 7-6 (4). Trying to return a well-placed ball Henin slipped and landed on her left hand and injured her fingers.

Before the Roland Garros Champion retired both Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne didn’t play their best tennis. Justine Henin did make good points at the net but could not prevent Kim Clijsters from taking a lead 3-1 who made a lot of volley errors half court.

Clijsters leads 5-3 and could not convert her set points hitting two bad dropshots that land on her own courtside. Henin doesn’t leave this opportunity and breaks back for 5-4.

Another set point for Clijsters to win the first set but she again fails to take the lead. After hitting a ball long Clijsters did also miss her second set point again failing to hit a good dropshot.

Henin holds her serve and comes back to 5-5. Henin missed her breakpoint for a lead in the first set with two errors. Clijsters just holds on to her serve for 6-5. Henin equalized for 6-6 on her own serve.

Clijsters leads in the tiebreak 4-2 both Henin recovers and takes Clijsters serves. Henin takes her first set point when Clijsters again hits the net. Henin winning the first set 7-6 (4).

Clijsters takes a 2-0 lead in the second set. Henin tries to return a cross-played ball but slips on the grass landing on her left hand. Immediately the trainer was called for injury time. When the wrist was taped for extra protection Henin tried to play on but retired after serving and losing her service game. Clijsters took a 3-0 lead.

It turned out Henin had bruised two of her fingers and she said that it was too dangerous to play when one is not 100% fit. She also keeps Wimbledon in mind and tries to avoid further injuries.

Kim Clijsters, who wins the Ordina Open for the first time, could not be very happy with her victory. She said she had never won this way and didn’t know how to react.