Henin reaches US Open final
The Belgian star is on course for her second Grand Slam of the season
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Friday, 08, Sep 2006 09:08
French Open champion Justin Henin-Hardenne battled back from a set down against Jelena Jankovic to reach the US Open final after winning 4-6 6-4 6-0.
The Wimbledon finalist looked to be heading out after trailing 4-2 in the second set but fought back to reach tomorrow's final at Flushing Meadows.
Henin, 24, was undone by Jankovic's powerful backhand in the first set and was broken twice setting up a potential upset.
The second seed, who has won five tournaments this year, continued to struggle with her serve, making 12 double faults, to trail in the second set.
But Henin-Hardenne racked up four straight games to take the semi-final into a dramatic final set.
The Belgian star upped the tempo in the final set and overpowered her opponent without dropping a game to clinch the semi final tie.
It is the second time Henin-Hardenne has had to come back from a set down this week after battling back against Japan's Ai Sugiyama in round three.
Jankovic, the 19th seed coming into the tournament, has surprised many with her performances which have seen her defeat Russian duo Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, and sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova in her path to the last four.