Amandine 8-28-2007 14:05
Henin Survives Goerges' Second-Set Attack
By Clair Maciel
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monday’s first-round match was just another day at the office for Justine Henin. The 2003 US Open champion dismissed 18-year-old qualifier Julia Goerges, 6-0, 6-3 in the German's Grand Slam debut.
Henin, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, now faces Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, with a potential quarterfinal-round match-up against No. 8 seed Serena Williams if both make it through their quarter of the draw.
Although Henin struggled early with double faults, Goerges’ high number of unforced errors (15 in the first set and 32 overall) cost her three straight breaks and the first set, which Henin put away in just 24 minutes. By the start of the second set, however, Goerges began holding her own and challenged the world No. 1, fighting for every point and firing winners that consistently painted the sidelines.
At 1-0, Goerges nearly broke Henin when she hit what appeared to be a winner, but the chair umpire over-ruled and called the ball out. Goerges challenged the call but lost when Hawkeye confirmed the shot had landed just out. Henin went on to hold for 1-1.
Both Henin and Goerges continued to hold serve until 3-3, when Henin broke for a 4-3 lead on a Goerges shot that sailed long. Henin took the match with another break at love on a backhand cross-court return winner.
Henin is competing for her seventh Grand Slam title after winning on clay at Roland Garros this year. She is riding a wave of momentum in which she has claimed six titles this season, including Dubai, Doha, Warsaw, Roland Garros, Eastbourne and Toronto.
[img]http://www.usopen.org/images/pics/thumbs/t_0827_013_henin.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.usopen.org/images/pics/thumbs/t_0827_014_goerges.jpg[/img]