Henin-Hardenne retains French Open title

Justine Henin-Hardenne sealed back-to-back French Open titles after beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets in Paris.

The fifth seed from Belgium needed an hour and 36 minutes to claim her third title in four years at Roland Garros with a 6-4 6-4 victory over the number eight seed from Russia.

Henin-Hardenne was almost always in control, clinching the crown on her second match point.

Henin-Hardenne, who won here in 2003 and 2005, started the encounter as clear favourite after defeating Kuznetsova 10 times in their last 11 meetings.

And the fifth seed was quickly in control, breaking her opponent in the opening game.

She broke again at 3-1 to take a 4-1 lead following a Kuznetsova double fault.

But the eighth-seeded Russian, who is well known for her fighting spirit, battled back to 4-3 before Henin-Hardenne edged her own service game to take a 5-3 advantage.

Serving out for the first set at 5-4, Henin-Hardenne earned a set point thanks to a powerful serve and then converted it when Kuznetsova struck her forehand shot into the net.

In the second set, Kuznetsova took a 2-0 lead after breaking Henin-Hardenne with a great passing shot along the line.

But the Belgian fought back to level at 2-2 before breaking her opponent’s serve again after a lengthy battle in the seventh game – where Kunetsova had three opportunities to take the game – with a winning volley to claim a 4-3 lead.

After both players had held their serves to take the score to 5-4, Henin-Hardenne dominated the 10th game of the set to claim victory.

Henin-Hardenne earned two match points following a powerful backhand from the baseline, and although she missed her first opportunity by netting her forehand, a wide forehand from Kuznetsova seconds later allowed her to win her third trophy on the red clay.