Henin v Serena Williams a Mouth-waterer at French Open
Posted on June 4, 2007World No. 1 Justine Henin and former No. 1 Serena Williams will resume their rivalry after wins Sunday at the French Open.
It was four years ago when they last met in the French Open semifinals where Henin gave the "talk to the hand" motion as Serena served, and the younger Williams sister made a tearful exit from the court after the loss, accusing the Belgian of deceitful practices.
Now the two will meet again after Henin defeated No. 20 seed Sybille Bammer 6-2, 6-4, and Serena handled No. 10 seed Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-3.
Henin was up 4-0 in the second set until Bammer evened things at 4-4.
"I lost a little bit of intensity at that point and also she started to play better," Henin said. "I can't make that mistake again now we are going into the second week. But I had many positive things in my game today."
No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova also advanced Sunday with a 3-6, 6-4, 9-7 win, saving two match points against No. 14 seed Patty Schnyder.
"Don't count on me giving up," Sharapova said.
There was a bit of controversy as Schnyder tried to call time in the middle of a Sharapova serve, yet Sharapova ended up taking the point. Fans jeered Sharapova after that through her various fist-pumping routines and changing racquets in the middle of games.
Sharapova said things can't always be perfect.
"It's tough playing tennis and being Mother Teresa at the same time," Sharapova said.
Sharapova will next meet fellow Russian ad No. 9 seed Anna Chakvetadze, while Schnyder accepts another also-ran result.
"At the end, she was the big champion," Schnyder said. "I'm the little one who could not win. That was the match today."
Chakvetadze beat No. 25 Lucie Safarova 6-2 in the third to advance.
Other winners Sunday were (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (d. (15) Peer), (4) Jelena Jankovic (d. (18) Bartoli 1-and-1), (6) Nicole Vaidisova (d. (19) Garbin), and (7) Ana Ivanovic (d. (24) Medina Garrigues in three).
Kuznetsova will next face Ivanovic.
"It's very exciting to be back in the quarters," Ivanovic said. "I won a lot of matches lately so that's what gives you confidence. I'm very excited to be back in the quarters and to have a chance to compete to get further."
Monday will be men's day at the French Open with the women resuming play on Tuesday.
It was four years ago when they last met in the French Open semifinals where Henin gave the "talk to the hand" motion as Serena served, and the younger Williams sister made a tearful exit from the court after the loss, accusing the Belgian of deceitful practices.
Now the two will meet again after Henin defeated No. 20 seed Sybille Bammer 6-2, 6-4, and Serena handled No. 10 seed Dinara Safina 6-2, 6-3.
Henin was up 4-0 in the second set until Bammer evened things at 4-4.
"I lost a little bit of intensity at that point and also she started to play better," Henin said. "I can't make that mistake again now we are going into the second week. But I had many positive things in my game today."
No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova also advanced Sunday with a 3-6, 6-4, 9-7 win, saving two match points against No. 14 seed Patty Schnyder.
"Don't count on me giving up," Sharapova said.
There was a bit of controversy as Schnyder tried to call time in the middle of a Sharapova serve, yet Sharapova ended up taking the point. Fans jeered Sharapova after that through her various fist-pumping routines and changing racquets in the middle of games.
Sharapova said things can't always be perfect.
"It's tough playing tennis and being Mother Teresa at the same time," Sharapova said.
Sharapova will next meet fellow Russian ad No. 9 seed Anna Chakvetadze, while Schnyder accepts another also-ran result.
"At the end, she was the big champion," Schnyder said. "I'm the little one who could not win. That was the match today."
Chakvetadze beat No. 25 Lucie Safarova 6-2 in the third to advance.
Other winners Sunday were (3) Svetlana Kuznetsova (d. (15) Peer), (4) Jelena Jankovic (d. (18) Bartoli 1-and-1), (6) Nicole Vaidisova (d. (19) Garbin), and (7) Ana Ivanovic (d. (24) Medina Garrigues in three).
Kuznetsova will next face Ivanovic.
"It's very exciting to be back in the quarters," Ivanovic said. "I won a lot of matches lately so that's what gives you confidence. I'm very excited to be back in the quarters and to have a chance to compete to get further."
Monday will be men's day at the French Open with the women resuming play on Tuesday.