Henin-Hardenne suffers earliest defeat of top seed in grand slam history

A SLUGGISH and pale Justine Henin-Hardenne had her French Open title ripped from her grasp yesterday as the Belgian suffered the earliest defeat of a women’s top seed in the grand slam’s history.

Never before since the women’s event first welcomed international entrants in 1925 had a top seed lost before the third round but, under grey Parisian skies, last year’s champion slumped 7-5 6-4 to little-known Italian Tathiana Garbin. The result will leave a major question mark over the Belgian’s health. She had not played a tournament since early April, having suffered a viral infection.

Home favourite Amelie Mauresmo also came close to elimination, but found enough inner strength to get past the injury-stricken Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues. Mauresmo, who came into the tournament as one of the favourites after wins in Berlin and Rome, triumphed 6-0 4-6 6-1 in just under two hours.

Convincing it certainly was not, but the Frenchwoman was simply relieved to have got through against an opponent who appeared to be struggling with a thigh injury in the latter stages of the match.

Another embarrassing first took place when second seed Andy Roddick was humbled by Frenchman Olivier Mutis 3-6 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-2. Roddick’s loss meant no US player will be left in the third round, which has never happened in any grand slam tournament in the open era.

In the men’s draw, Argentine Guillermo Coria continued his cull of compatriots while another tournament favourite, Carlos Moya, put friendship on hold to score a bittersweet second round win.

Coria’s 7-5 6-1 6-3 victory over Juan Monaco was his 23rd win over a fellow Argentine in 25 meetings, while Moya’s 6-1 6-2 6-1 destruction of Fernando Vicente was his 11th straight win over his friend.

For a man with a mystery illness, Tim Henman’s tennis game looked in the rudest of health.

He dismantled Lars Burgsmuller 6-0 6-3 6-3 to take his place in the third round.