Henin struggles through

Justine Henin-Hardenne, semi-finalist and finalist in Wimbledon’s last two championships and currently champion of France, again had to rouse herself against an opponent of surprising quality to earn a passage into the third round.

The slim, 5ft 6in Belgian with the blistering backhand who is rated the best chance to disturb the power base that currently rules the game in the shape of the Williams sisters, had to struggle to justify her third seeding in a fiercely-fought opening set against Italian Flavia Pennetta.