Philosophical Henin ready for Ivanovic showdown

JUSTINE HENIN must overcome a teenage prodigy contesting her first grand-slam final if she is to join an illustrious and select band of players to have won four or more French Open titles.

Top seed Henin, the reigning champion and winner at Roland Garros for three of the last four years, will start as strong favourite when she takes on precocious seventh seed Ana Ivanovic in today’s women’s final.

But it will be no walkover against the determined Ivanovic, who began her journey to tennis stardom by conducting practice sessions in emptied swimming pools in her home country of Serbia.