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.