What more
for Mauresmo
Takes women’s Wimbledon title to France
after 81 years
Mauresmo is the first French women's champion for
81 years. Amelie Mauresmo claimed her first Wimbledon title with
a courageous 2-6 6-3 6-4 over Justine Henin-Hardenne. The Frenchwoman
won the Australian Open in January after Henin-Hardenne retired
in the final, but there was no doubting the legitimacy of her win
on Saturday.
She made a terrible start, dropping the first
set in 31 minutes, but it was then Henin-Hardenne's turn to falter.
Mauresmo took the final into a decider and despite several nerve-racking
moments, held on for an emotional win.
The Frenchwoman, so often accused of choking on
the big occasion, dropped to her knees and burst into tears as the
reality of her victory sunk in. "I definitely wanted this win
today and I don't want anybody to talk about my nerves anymore,"
she joked in an on-court interview with the BBC.
There's nothing else to say: she was better than
me on the day
Henin-Hardenne, who was looking to become only the 10th woman in
history to win all four Grand Slam titles, paid tribute to her opponent.
"There's nothing else to say: she was better than me on the
day and she took her chances," said the 24-year-old. "I
am pretty tired after winning the French Open and Eastbourne but
it's been a good few weeks and even here, I had a very good time.
It's been very positive and I'll be back and get my chance another
time."
Mauresmo had showed steely resolve to come through a tight semi-final
against Maria Sharapova, but it seemed to have deserted her by the
time the final got under way on Saturday.
She made a hesitant start by dropping serve in
the first game and never really recovered.
Henin-Hardenne attacked ruthlessly, winning 13
of 16 points at the net and finishing off a clinical set with an
ace. With the first set under her belt, and a first Wimbledon title
in sight, Henin-Hardenne faltered and Mauresmo seized the moment.
Moving and hitting more freely, she became the aggressor, pinning
Henin-Hardenne behind the baseline and forcing her opponent into
errors. But the Frenchwoman, who netted an easy return on a point
which would have given her a 5-1 lead, almost threw away her advantage
in a tense finale to the set. - BBC
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