Henin-Hardenne sets up Davenport rematch

Justine Henin-Hardenne’s dramatic victory over Lindsay Davenport at the Australian Open last year proved the catalyst for a sensational season which ended with the Belgian finishing as world number one.

And she booked a rematch with the American after both won their fourth round matches at Melbourne Park in straight sets today.

That fourth-round meeting was the last time Henin-Hardenne met Davenport and it was a classic, with the Belgian surviving cramp and three hours 13 minutes of intense tennis to win 7-5 5-7 9-7.

It was a victory which proved to Henin-Hardenne she had what it takes to prevail at the highest level and she went on to claim the French and US Open titles.

“I’m not the same player anymore,” she said after beating Italian qualifier Maria Santangelo 6-1 7-5 (7/5).

“It’s was a big turning point for me to beat her last year. It was important for me to beat her once in my career.

“It was something amazing, one of the biggest matches of last year. It gave me a lot of confidence. I just believe in myself that I could beat top players.”

Henin-Hardenne was given a stern test by Santangelo who had already accounted for Spanish 16th seed Magui Serna in the first round and Eleni Daniilidou (19) in the third.

Santangelo was a break up and serving for the second set before Henin-Hardenne broke back and survived the tie-break to book an enticing rematch with Davenport.

The American kept her half of the bargain with a comfortable 6-1 6-3 victory over 19-year-old Russian Vera Zvonareva.

Davenport only had to save two break point opportunities in the match and with efficient ease – she made only nine unforced errors – reached her seventh Australian Open quarter-final.

“I feel pretty confident about my game,” said Davenport when asked to compare her current form with that of last year.

“Today was a big improvement on the last matches I have played. It’s going to have to go to a different level if I plan to win. She’s number one for a reason. I’m not going to be able to afford any letdowns. I’m going to have to be tough the whole way through.”

Davenport has followed Henin-Hardenne’s development with interest.

“She went on to have a great year, won two Grand Slams and finished number one,” she said.

“I probably wouldn’t have guessed it at the time but physically her game has improved. She appears much stronger and I’m sure she’s gained confidence over the last year. It all goes together.”

Davenport has been described as having slipped into the quarter-finals under the radar that has been so firmly trained on Henin-Hardenne, Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams.

The same point was made to fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo, who today survived her toughest outing of the tournament to beat Australian Alicia Molik 7-5 7-5 and reach the last eight.

Mauresmo had previously only dropped six games in three straight-sets victories but against Molik it was a far tougher affair.

The Australian broke three times and stretched the 1999 finalist over nearly two hours.

“I was expecting her to play some good tennis and to serve well also,” said Mauresmo.

“I think that’s what she did today. I felt she played some good tennis and was really aggressive and controlling things very well.

“I just didn’t want to let her do that. It was a tough match and I’m happy to get through. It wasn’t easy but it’s always good to have these kind of matches.”

Mauresmo will play Colombian 32nd seed Fabiola Zuluaga who beat Hungarian Aniko Kapros 6-4 6-2.