Tennis: Gutsy Henin ousts Sharapova

MELBOURNE - Eighth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne put injury concerns aside to overpower Russian Maria Sharapova on Thursday and reach the Australian Open final.

The Belgian, who was unable to defend her 2004 Melbourne crown last year through injury, ground fourth seed Sharapova down to win 4-6 6-1 6-4, stretching her winning streak in Australia to an extraordinary 20 matches.

Henin-Hardenne will play third seed Amelie Mauresmo in Saturday's final after second seed Kim Clijsters was forced to retire due to an ankle injury in their semi-final.

"I think it was a great match, very intense physically and mentally," a delighted Henin-Hardenne told a news conference after her two hour, 26 minute battle on Rod Laver Arena.

"Maria, she played a great match, the best I've seen her play in a long time," she said.

Sharapova tried to put on a brave face after her loss but there was no masking the depth of her disappointment.

The fourth seed insisted she was pleased just to have made the final four, but bristled at suggestions her father, Yuri, had been illegally coaching her from the stands.

"Take your note pads, take your pencils, take your grunt-o-meters down, the fashion police, put everything away and just watch the match from the fans' perspective," she told a news conference.

Sharapova has been heavily scrutinised during the championships over a range of issues, including her father, the groans she makes when she hits the ball and even her dress sense.

"I know that probably tomorrow I'm gonna be seeing headlines, 'Maria can't get past the semis, Maria can't finish it off in the third' but take all that away and just look at the tennis that we both played today.

"I think that shows a lot. I have a lot to look forward to in the future."

The win was especially sweet for Henin-Hardenne, who has had to overcome a long battle with injuries.

She was unable to defend her 2004 title last year because of a knee injury but returned to win the French Open, only then to suffer a hamstring injury that cut short her 2005 campaign and threatened her visit to Australia.

But she shrugged off her injury woes to win the Sydney International two weeks ago, just as she did in 2004, installing herself as a firm favourite with bookmakers to win her second Australian title and her fifth grand slam.

"When I arrived here I was coming to play a couple of matches and get my confidence back," Henin-Hardenne said.

"It's been tough for me to be injured for such a long time and then coming back in my first grand slam, being in the final again, I think it's just an amazing feeling."

REVENGE

Henin-Hardenne admitted she had a score to settle after missing the tournament last year but said she first wanted to enjoy the win before starting to think about Saturday's opponent.

"I think I had maybe a little bit of revenge on my mind to come here," she said.

The Belgian had to come back from a set down for the second match in a row after she fought back to down top seed Lindsay Davenport in the quarter-finals.

Sharapova, beaten by eventual champion Serena Williams at the same stage last year, battled hard but could not match the Belgian's tenacity and killer backhand.

The Russian drew Henin-Hardenne into long rallies and used greater shot variety to wrong-foot her opponent early, claiming the first set when Henin-Hardenne sent a forehand sailing wide.

But Henin-Hardenne gradually took control and broke the frustrated Russian twice towards the end of the second set to force the decider.

Sharapova fought to the end, breaking Henin-Hardenne as the French Open champion served for the match at 5-3.

But the Belgian came back strong and sealed victory on Sharapova's serve, claiming the match with a blistering backhand winner down the line.

"I'm very proud of myself because I kept fighting during the whole match, even the points that were very long. I ran like probably I never ran in the past on the tennis court," Henin-Hardenne said.

Sharapova burst on to the world stage when she won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004 but hasn't made a Grand Slam final since, although she has made the semifinals in four of the last five majors she has played.

But she said her performances in Australia had convinced her she was close to winning another one.

"I seriously think that the quality of the match today was great. Of course I'm disappointed, but I did not expect myself to play this great at this tournament," she said.

"For me to be able to go out there and to play the quality of tennis that I did today, I think it was great.

"It's disappointing right now, but this match gives me a lot of confidence towards the future. I know I can do it. I know what level I can play.

"I have a lot to look forward to but let's take it one step at a time."

- REUTERS