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Henin and Clijsters in dream final

Henin and Clijsters in dream final

AAP/Image: SMP Images Friday 8 January 2010 35 Comments »

Justine Henin spoke of the immense respect she holds for Kim Clijsters after the pair booked a dream all-Belgian final at the Brisbane International.

The eyes of the sporting world will be watching Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday night as the pair do battle for the 23rd time on the WTA tour – their 11th clash in a final.

While a huge fillip for tournament organisers, Henin admitted it was the “perfect situation” for her to meet her long-time rival in the decider in her return from a 20-month hiatus.

The big-name wildcard coolly swept aside Ana Ivanovic 6-3 6-3 in her Friday semi-final before top seed Clijsters overcame a topsy-turvy first set to prevail 6-4 6-2 over German surprise-packet Andrea Petkovic.

After preparing for her return for five months, Henin said she was surprised to immediately have the chance to add to her 41 career titles.

“It’s a perfect situation for me as I’m in the final of my first tournament,” she said. “It’s a great feeling.

“Eighteen months with no competition is not easy … this is more than I could expect to be in the final.”

Henin holds a 12-10 head-to-head advantage, courtesy of three consecutive wins, but her long lay-off following a premature retirement gives Clijsters slight favouritism.

The 27-year-old’s vanquished semi-final opponent Ivanovic found it hard to split the pair, believing Clijsters was in better shape after winning last year’s US Open but Henin would have a clear head with “nothing to lose”.

Second seed Nadia Petrova had her money on Henin after being beaten by her in straight sets in the opening round when the Russian rated her better than when she left the game as No.1.

The Belgians have endured a cool relationship in the past, particularly after Clijsters’ now late father Leo was quoted saying he was surprised such a small player like Henin could be so powerful, leading to reports of doping insinuations.

Clijsters tried her best to minimise the damage and Henin on Friday admitted such reports had created some tension in their camps.

But she stressed while the pair aren’t close, there had never been issues between the two of them.

“There is so much respect between the two of us so, I know sometimes people would love to hear there have been problems between us but that’s not the case – never in the past,” she said.

“I think I respect the person and the player and it’s the same for her.

“We are so different. But we have good memories. When we were younger we were travelling a lot together – the same tournaments – but after that we grew up differently and went in different directions.

“It’s always a good feeling to play against her because it’s always a tough match and it’s always a good challenge.

“I think we’ve helped each other a lot in our careers to get better and I think that’s very good.”

Clijsters expressed the same sentiments about their “big past together”.

“We grew up playing juniors together and I think we always made each other better players,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone, not even in Belgium or in our own groups, expected this would happen.”

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  • Dawn

    Tennis Channel will air the final (delay) on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 11:30am EST.

  • Allez Les Belges

    u can watch it live, at Eurosport-player on pc !

  • Mo

    Why are people comparing Henin/Clijsters to the Williams Sisters? They aren’t the only players on the WTA circuit. Look it’s simple. Serena has 11 singles grand slams. The rest of the active field aren’t even near double digits yet. If Serena plays her best, she wins easily. Nuff said. I’ve always admired Clijsters, Henin a different story.

  • Anonymous

    It is on the Tennis Channel, but not live. Probably not live on any US TV channel, but you might be able to see the video online.

  • lenaferinga

    It's a dream final for us Belgians! Very proud of both but only one can win. I'll be cheering for Justine, love the way how she plays! Go Juju!!!

  • http://satellitebadmintonclub.site11.com/ Mike

    It's remarkable how successful both player's comebacks have been in such a short period of time. Is it a testament to the hard training preparations, or does talent just make it that much easier? Williams sisters – watch out!

  • pince

    As a Belgian citizen I'm delighted to see those two champions in a final! We've got more than chocolates and wafels in Belgium, wee've got the two best female players in the world!

  • Andy

    Two comeback Queens. Two great players, sweeping aside all lesser mortals. Bring them giants!!

    Kim to win. She was nice to me when we met in Melbourne. Go Kim!

  • gooberz

    Same feeling here. I would go for Justine! She is an exceptional tennis player. She is terribly missed when she retired. Now that she is back, women tennis is reinvigorated. Allez Justine!

  • Kimberley

    Kim and Justine putting the WTA to shame. Allez the Belgians! I want them both to win!

  • Janice Kersey

    I am so looking forward to this final. It is so great to have both Justine and Kim back on tour. I send my best wishes and good luck to both of them. I know it is going to be such a good match. Womens' tennis is all the better for their return.

  • http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/ Tennis Anaisyst

    Good work to the belgians. I think the crowd will favour Kim but i'm not sure. I think it will be a great final but i think that kimmy has got that extra edge which i think will just overcome the henin game. It'll be a great game to watch though and I will be watching every shot.

  • Dominique George

    Yes!.. A few months ago.. I was in Brisbane.. Best place in Australia..Now.. we have 2 champion for the final in Brisbane.. The dream.. youhou!..
    Dominique from Belgium..

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/IGMFS67B6NAQWU75C5EDTI7SX4 J

    Can't wait for the final. Love them both so don't really mind who wins as long as its a good match, and it is sure to be. Kim is so lovely and Jada a fantastic daughter. Justine has had a tough life and has come through with her dogged determination. Good Luck to both – shame there can only be one winner. Watch out the Williams sisters, the dream Belgian team ARE BACK!!

  • Anne

    Congratulations to both of them! Personally, I prefer Justine but as a Belgian I'll be happy either way! Que la meilleure gagne!

  • Tennis Fan

    Does anyone know if this match will be on US TV?

  • Dominique George

    I was in Brisbane in few weeks ago.. The best place in Australia.. Now.. I'm back in Belgium.. but to look that two girl from my country are the winner at the tournois from my favorite place in the world.. it's so nice.

  • Johan

    The 'old' days are back. And it's great to be Belgian again :-) Go go go girls!!

  • Dawn

    Oh, it looks like this will be a great year in women's tennis!! I think Justine and Kim are the worlds classiest players. My heart, though, roots for Justine.

  • milenagomes

    will be a more difficult game I'd bet on kim.
    we kim, all Brazil's path with you.

  • Coach T

    I am just loving this!! Kim Clister is my favorite female player with her allcourt game, quickness and awesome slice backhand. I also like that Justine has a great slice backhand.

  • dworldlovesJH

    Justine Henin you are simply the BEST! Good luck tomorrow. I hope you win your first comeback tournament. Allez!

  • Amy

    Allez Justine! :) For you “Impossible is Nothing” I believe like that.

  • BumblebeeTennisNYC

    It's sure to be a good fight for these two Belgian ladies, the question is, who will be the crowd’s favorite? Definitely a must watch match-up.

    http://www.bumblebeetennis.com

  • Nina

    Alleez! Juju is on a roll. Well, the fact that after over a year out of the game she can come and cruise to the final like this speaks volumes about the current level of play in WTA. Anyhow, I hope she will clinch her comeback with another title. She deserves it, although Kim is also a great player. I think they will put the end to sporadic glimpses of brilliance by so-called tennis stars and show the girls tennis should be more about the game than flashy outfits.

  • http://sigmatestudio.com/ SK

    This is the final I wanted for this tournament. My heart is for Henin to win but my head thinks Clijsters. It'll be a good match!

  • yoda

    great but its an outrage channel seven are not showing until until 9:30pm! why cant we watch live, cmon brisbane, complain and fight for it!

  • Jevry

    It was a hard feeling for me, watching the two most successful belgian tennis player of all time battle in the final for the the title.

    I've always love henin, so much…… I've always want Henin dominate over Clijsters.

    But with this situation, after Clijster trumph in U.S Open. Henin will get a problem to beat her.

    Clijster, i love her too. but not as much as i love Henin.

    I hope Henin will show her credited for being the 7 title Grand Slam winner and Olympic Gold Medalist.

  • Gus

    Does anyone know if the final will be screened live from 7:00pm at the Southbank Live Site? Channel 7 have a delayed broadcast from 9:30pm, but I would prefer to watch it live. Thanks!

  • daryl228

    didn't kim beat serena at the u.s. open in straight sets. Serena couldn't even take a set off of kim.

  • Shane

    I want Justine to win. She is the white lion of women's tennis, so rare and special. We're lucky to see her again.

  • gooberz

    Same feat that Justine did in US Open 2007. Justine has nothing to lose being just back on tour. Chance is 50-50 but I would want Justine to win this. I would be rooting for her. Allez!

  • Walter Lodewyckx

    Ok Belgian girls go for it.Another Belgian girl,Yanina Wickmayer just won the Auckland tournement.Belgian girls invading Australia and New Zealand?You Aussies and Kiwis love our girl players.We love you people to have accepted us.Long live Down under and Zeeland.From Flanders with love.Walter

  • Mario

    Great match. Channel 7's delayed broadcast in Melbourne is an absolute joke. Who wrote that contract?

    Not as bad as the ABC and the Hopman cup decider though (cut it off for the news, told us the result during the news, then played the additional 3 minutes to reach a decision after the news…brilliant work).

    Please hand it over to SBS or, and I never thought I'd say it, Channel 9….

    Pathetic…..

  • Bill

    Can't agree more. I was disgusted with the ABC's coverage of Hopman Cup finals. If they'd been televising Neil Armstrong on the moon they would have cut to the news as he was climbing down the ladder. Channel 7's delayed telecast comes a close 2nd.

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