History could figure in another Serena-Henin showdown

Jun 4, 2007, 11:10 GMT

Paris - Justine Henin will have to put recent history well into the past if she's to continue her quest for a third straight French Open title.

The top seed will face off in a grudge quarter-final on Tuesday against resurgent Serena Williams, who rallied from 0-6 in the first set to win the Miami title three months ago over the stunned Belgian.

'I don't want to see a rematch of Key Biscayne, I hope it's going to be a good match,' said Henin, who would be the first since Monica Seles 15 years ago to complete three trophies in a row at Roland Garros were she to win another this weekend.

'It was a good match in Miami, I should have won that match. I was leading completely and I was a better player on the court. But she came back.'

Williams still can't shake her own memories, when she lost a Paris semi-final four years ago against Henin in controversial style, with charges of gamesmanship against the Belgian hurled around in the aftermath.

Williams, winner of the four previous majors, left the court in tears harbouring bitter memories.

Her personal situation has changed since then, with the shooting death of her half-sister in Los Angeles and 2004 knee surgery.

'I've definitely grown up a lot, matured a lot and been through a lot of things since 03 and I'm just maybe more cynical,' said Williams, winner this season of the Australian Open as well as Miami.

'I've been through death, I had surgery - I've been through a lot.

'It takes a strong person to be able to be at the bottom of the barrel. It's hard to be able to come back when everyone seems against you and you have so many doubters and the only person that you can count on is you and your family.'

Henin considers Roland Garros her 'house' and would not take defeat easily after 32 wins and just four losses at the venue.

Williams carries a fearsome reputation as well as a 6-3 record into the clay confrontation with the French-speaking crowd favourite.

'Mentally she's been very strong, she just keeps fighting,' said Henin. 'That's why she's a champion. It's never over.

'But this match is different (from Miami). It's a different surface, a different situation.

'We'll see. We will have to give everything and to be at our best level to show good tennis. And the best player will win.'

Henin has won 18 straight matches in Paris, yielding three titles dating to 2003.