Majestic Mauresmo takes centre stage
The Australian Open champion — who had reached the semi-final on each of her last three visits to the All England Club — overcame former champion Maria Sharapova in an enthralling contest on Centre Court 6-3 3-6 6-2 in a match which lasted almost two and a quarter hours.
Henin-Hardenne, meanwhile, triumphed in two tough sets, 6-4 7-6 (7-4), over Belgian compatriot Kim Clijsters, the number two seed.
It was Mauresmo’s performance, though, which captured the imagination yesterday, as the 27-year-old produced a gutsy display to wrestle back the match after Sharapova, winner here in 2004, had forced a decider.
Mauresmo, the French number one seed, had looked to be cruising early in the second set at 3-1 and 40-love up.
But ice-cool Russian Sharapova, 19, hit back to turn the match in her favour with a fine array of shots from the baseline.
Mauresmo regained her composure in the tense finale, which she controlled to take the sting out of the fourth seed’s power game.
The Wimbledon top seed now hopes to make it a memorable double for France this weekend, as Les Bleus take on Italy in the World Cup final on Sunday.
“I was relieved at the end because I had to come back strong, and am very happy,” said Mauresmo.
“Now I finally get to play for the trophy.
“I am expecting a tough one against Justine because she is playing great tennis and is aggressive.”
The top seed added: “I hope it is a big weekend for France.”
Henin-Hardenne, meanwhile, will be out to claim the only Grand Slam title which has eluded her, having finished runner-up at SW19 in 2001.
Clijsters, the reigning US Open champion, had started their 22nd career clash the brighter, but in the end had no answer to her compatriot’s consistency.
French Open champion Henin-Hardenne, 23, said: “It is more about the nerve than the tennis at this stage and I am very pleased with the way I handled it.
“There is no option but to be aggressive on grass because it is such a quick surface.
“But I’m getting better at it now, and I am really happy to have another chance to win this title.”
Henin-Hardenne is now 12-10 ahead, having won eight of the last 11 meetings with Clijsters, including their semi-final at Roland Garros last month and another at Eastbourne two weeks ago.
Clijsters said: “I have been disappointed with the way I have played against her in previous matches — but this was my better tennis against her and that is the main thing I will take away as a positive.
“I am happy enough to have played much better the last few months than most of last year. That is more important to me than prize money.”
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