The Hindu : Henin ends Serena's winning streak

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Henin ends Serena's winning streak

CHARLESTON April 14. Serena Williams is capable of losing, and everyone on the WTA Tour can thank Justine Henin-Hardenne for reminding them.

The Belgian emphatically ended Williams' 21-0 start to the season by beating the world's No. 1 player 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday for the Family Circle Cup title.

``This doesn't change anything about the great champion that Serena is. But it means that today we could see that we can do these things against her, and she can be frustrated, too,'' Henin-Hardenne said.

``I think it's good for the other players that we can see that.'' Williams' last loss came against another Belgian, Kim Clijsters, in the 2002 season-ending Tour championship in November.

She issued a bit of a warning to future opponents.

``Sometimes you need to lose,'' Williams said.

``I'm so motivated now. I can just feel it coming on again. So you've got to watch out.''

What was perhaps most stunning about Sunday's final at the clay-court event was the way the momentum turned after Williams won the first three games.

All of a sudden, her fourth-ranked opponent won six games in a row, taking 23 of the last 26 points in the first set. With Henin-Hardenne's smooth strokes right on target, she also overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second set.

``My whole game was like 9,000 notches down,'' Williams said.

``I didn't serve well, I didn't return well, I didn't hit well. You know, it's just one of those days.''

This was Henin-Hardenne's second title of the year and improved her match record to 21-4. — AP

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