Henin completes dream season
Henin won the French Open and US Open this year
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Sunday, 11, Nov 2007 08:25
Justin Henin fought back from a set down to beat Maria Sharapova 5-7 7-5 6-3 in an epic final of the WTA Championships in Madrid.
The Belgian ace saw off the Russian in three and 25 minutes, which is a tournament record.
Henin, 25, becomes the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1989 to remain unbeaten in the second half of the season.
In the opening set, both players matched each other with a break each until a marathon game 12.
Henin's service fell apart with the world number one making four double faults. She managed to save seven set points before a wayward forehand gave Sharapova first blood.
In the second set, Henin broke in game nine with a stunning cross-court winner.
Sharapova, 20, broke straight back but then lost her next service game to force a deciding set.
Henin appeared to have the momentum and broke in game three and then saved three break points on her own serve.
Sharapova then broke but the Belgian cracked the Russian's service again to take a 4-3 lead.
Henin then sealed victory on her fifth match point for her 26th straight victory.
The world number one said was thrilled with her dream season.
"In the third set it was much more mental and physical," Henin said.
"It was a tough last game, we were both dead. What a way to finish the season. I feel it's a dream what's happened this season."
Meanwhile, Sharapova said she was pleased with her displays at the season-ending tournament.
"It's been a pretty rough year for me with all the injuries and two weeks ago I didn't even know if I was going to play here, let alone get to the final," Sharapova said.
"I hope we can play many more times so I can get my revenge.