Justine Henin demolished Anna Ivanovic in the women’s finals at the Roland Garros on Saturday to win her third title in a row. Rafael Nadal, who handed defeat to Roger Federer on Sunday, matched her feat 24-hours later.
Henin vs. Ivanovic - a mismatch of sorts
Anna Ivanovic had a wonderful French Open. She had defeated Kuznetsova and Sharapova in her run in to the Final. Then of course, her luck ran out.
Whether she was awed by her opponent or by the sheer weight of the occasion got to her, the fact of the matter is she failed to bring her best game out. And against the tiny Belgian blond, she could ill afford this luxury.
A rampant Justine Henin blew her opponent’s game to shreds as she won the final match 6-1, 6-2. The 19-year-old Serb didn’t do her cause any good by making a barrage of unforced errors throughout the match. In the end, the one-sided affair lasted just 65 minutes.
With her forth French Open tile, and sixth Grand Slam overall, Henin went past Hingis and Venus Williams - in terms of Number of Grand slams. The hat trick means that she is the first woman in 12 years to win thrice in a row on the clay courts of France. Monica Seles was the last woman to achieve this feat.
Henin, who has had a turbulent few months personally, got emotional after the win and dedicated her win to her family, with which she has recently been reunited after 7 years of differences.
Here is what Justine said after the win:
It’s wonderful to win here again, especially without losing a set! I love this tournament. It’s magical. I went through some tough times at the start of the year but now I’m back with my family. I am very happy.
A crestfallen Ivanovic acknowledged that her opponent had a superior game and said:
She’s a great player and played a great match. I started OK but I got nervous in the second game and my ball toss went everywhere. I had no control over it. You have to be a great player to beat her.
Nadal vs. Federer - same match, same result
Roger Fderer, acclaimed as the best pro player on the circuit currently, somehow doesn’t give the same impression whenever pitted against Nadal, especially on clay. His Spanish nemesis once again subdued him and dashed his hopes of winning the silver Coupe des Mousquetaires - the only Grand Slam trophy missing from the No. 1-ranked player’s collection.
Defeating Fedex 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, Nadal matched Belgian Henin’s accomplishment of winning three French Open titles in a row. He equaled the great Bjorn Borg’s record of winning three Roland Garros titles in a row. Nadal also managed to keep his own record - of winning the crown at French Open in his three visits here - intact.
In a final, which promised to be a thrilling encounter between two archrivals, Nadal had an answer to everything Federer could throw at him. Rafa set the tone by playing deep and accurate shots, assaulting Federer’s backhands time and again. Counting on Roger’s impatience in the long rallies, Nadal chased down all the shorts that Swiss could muster. At one point in the third set, Nadal retrieved a perfect backhand drop volley, all the way from the baseline.
Federer couldn’t manage enough winners and every time he let down his guard, Nadal cashed in. Roger didn’t convert the break points that he did manage to create and Nadal ended the match having lost just one of the seventeen break points on his serve. He would seek consolation in the fact that he won a set against Nadal, something that nobody managed in this year’s tournament.
With mounting errors and a foiled bid to push Nadal with approaches to net, Federer gave up early in the fourth set and finally succumbed in 3hours and 10 minutes.
In the post-match press conference Nadal said:
I always thought winning Roland Garros three times in a row would be impossible. I am very happy, but I am really sad for Roger. He is a friend and I know he is a great champion, whether he wins or loses.
Federer seemed optimistic even in defeat and asserted:
At the end of the day, I wanted to win that match. I couldn’t do it. It’s a shame. But life goes on. And, eventually, if I get it, the sweeter it’s going to taste.
Hang on to that thought till next year Roger, maybe we will see you win one on clay.
P.S. - I had predicted Henin to take the title and I have been vindicated. Not so in Men’s final, where I had hoped that Federer would finally taste sweet revenge.
Nonetheless, I can at least do one round of my, I told you dance...
