Pierce punished by classy Belgian

Mary Pierce saw her latest Wimbledon journey ended by third seed Justine Henin-Hardenne as class told over strength and experience.

Pierce, now 28 but still a pumped-up competitor in every sense, was winning Grand Slam titles when her Belgian rival was still a junior.

And three years ago she captured the French Open crown which Henin-Hardenne herself won in the final against Kim Clijsters less than a month ago at Roland Garros.

Clearly, many of the fans packed in and craning their necks for a view of the action on Court Three were hoping for an upset after Pierce, now fighting to stay in the world’s top 100, put out two seeds in earlier rounds.

But despite still wearing plaster protection on her left hand, 20-year-old Henin featured her famous backhand speciality in a 6-3 6-3 win which took just 51 minutes.

Pierce held her own in the opening phases of both sets, getting in the majority of her first serves and offering Henin-Hardenne a vigorous work-out.

But when it came to the important points the Canadian-born Frenchwoman was found wanting.

She was also worn down by a battery of eight Henin-Hardenne aces and when the pace was stepped up Pierce struggled to cope.

Henin-Hardenne, who has now played her matches at Wimbledon on Court One, Centre Court and now Court Three, broke for a 4-3 lead in the opener and then intimidated the next Pierce serve again at the next opportunity.

It was a similar story in the second set with Henin-Hardenne’s greater mobility and shot selection the vital factors.

Pierce netted a careless forehand to go 5-3 down and although she then bravely saved two match-points a third was beyond her.

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