Tennis: Mauresmo wins Australian Open after Henin retires

Amelie Mauresmo of France holds the trophy after winning the women's singles final against Justine Henin-Hardenne. Picture / Reuters

MELBOURNE - Third seed Amelie Mauresmo won her first grand slam tennis title when former champion Justine Henin-Hardenne retired from the Australian Open women's singles final because of injury today.

Mauresmo, the 1999 Melbourne runner-up, won the first set 6-1 after dominating Henin-Hardenne in the early exchanges.

The Frenchwoman raced into a 5-0 lead after breaking eighth seed Henin-Hardenne in the second and fourth games, her second break coming on an uncharacteristic backhand error by the Belgian.

Mauresmo served out the set after 33 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, Belgian Henin-Hardenne netting a forehand service return on the final point.

She then made another service break in the opening game of the second set but Henin-Hardenne was clearly struggling and could go no further, retiring after 52 minutes.

French Open champion Henin-Hardenne was unable to defend her 2004 title last year because of a knee injury.

- REUTERS