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18 April 2005
BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Justine Henin-Hardenne sealed her official comeback from illness and injury by beating Russia’s Elena Dementieva in two sets in the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament in Charleston, South Carolina.
The world’s former No. 1 has won her first title since clinching Olympic gold in Athens last August.
The victory in South Carolina is Henin’s 20th title and boosted her world ranking from 43 to 31. In the 1 hour 47 minute final she beat second-seeded Dementieva in two sets of 7-5, 6-4. The Russian is No. 5 in the world.
“I could never imagine that I would play at this level for my first tournament on clay and then win this tournament,” said a beaming Henin-Hardenne.
“I had a pretty tough draw and, especially when you’re unseeded, it’s not easy.”
She said that although physically she felt her recovery was going well, she had never expected to win the tournament.
Subject : Belgian news