Unseeded Belgian Henin defeats China’s Zheng Jie in Australian Open semi-final
January 28th, 2010 - 2:33 pm ICT by ANI
Melbourne, jan.28 (ANI): Unseeded Belgian tennis star Justine Henin will face defending champion Serena Williams in the Australian Open final after thrashing Zheng Jie 6-1 6-0 in their semi-final.
Henin, who retired in May 2008, has made the most of being granted a wildcard to compete in her first grand slam since the 2008 Australian Open and will face No.1 seed and defending champion Serena Williams in the final.
The seven-times grand slam winner, most recently at the US Open in 2007, was simply too good for her unseeded Chinese opponent, winning the last 12 games of the match on her way to a win in just 51 minutes.
“The dream continues,” Henin said.
“I am going to play the No.1 and defending champion. I wasn’t sure about what I would feel on the court and how things would go. I have just enjoyed my tennis and taken it step by step. I can’t wait for the final now, it is an amazing feeling,” Fox Sports quoted Henin, as saying.
It will be the 27-year-old’s third appearance in the Australian Open final, having won the tournament in 2004 and been beaten by Amelie Mauresmo in the 2006 final, when she retired due to illness after losing the first set.
Henin is the first wildcard to reach the Australian Open final and is on track to emulate the comeback of countrywoman Kim Clijsters, who capitalised on a wildcard to win the 2009 US Open in her first grand slam after returning from retirement. (ANI)
- Henin, Williams both looking for history in Melbourne - Jan 29, 2010
- 'Comeback queen' Henin beats Petrova to reach Australian Open semi-finals - Jan 26, 2010
- Henin sets up showdown with Zheng Jie - Jan 26, 2010
- Henin works out in Brisbane, determined to make comeback - Dec 29, 2009
- Zheng Jie makes history by becoming first Chinese player to enter Oz Open semi-finals - Jan 26, 2010
- Wozniacki confident of getting fit before Australian Open - Jan 12, 2012
- Henin given wild card for Indian Wells - Feb 04, 2010
- Injury cuts short Henin's comeback run - Jan 10, 2010
- Australian Open: Cilic chips away to overcome Roddick (Lead) - Jan 26, 2010
- Sania Mirza goes down fighting to Henin in opening round of Australian Open - Jan 17, 2011
- Murray muscles past tiring Cilic into Australian Open final (Roundup) - Jan 28, 2010
- Clijsters battles back against Li Na to win Australian Open - Jan 29, 2011
- Djokovic, Sharapova coast into Australian Open fourth round (Roundup) - Jan 22, 2012
- Williams retains Australian Open title, wins 12th Grand Slam (Lead) - Jan 30, 2010
- Clijsters routs Zvonareva to claim back-to-back US Open titles - Sep 12, 2010
Tags: amelie mauresmo, appearance, australian open, china, countrywoman, defending champion, fox sports, grand slam winner, jan 28, justine henin, kim clijsters, match, melbourne, opponent, retirement, serena williams, seven times, tennis star, wildcard, zheng jie