Henin hammers home second US Open title

By Bill Scott Sep 9, 2007, 3:05 GMT

Justine Henin of Belgium kisses the championship trophy after defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia to win the women\'s final on the thirteenth day of the 2007 US Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 08 September 2007. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

New York - Justine Henin won the seventh Grand Slam title of her career and second of the season with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Svetlana Kuznetsova to claim the US Open crown Saturday.

The Belgian, who earned a fourth Roland Garros title three months ago, produced a complete performance to run her career record to 15-2 against new world number two Kuznetsova of Russia.

The efficient victory in front of 23,000 fans avenged Henin's spring loss on clay in Berlin to 2004 New York winner Kuznetsova.

In the final game, the notorious New York crowd had to get involved, a spectator screaming out as the Belgian tried to serve.

That concentration disruption led to two double-faults before the top seed steadied, escaping after saving two break points and overcoming another double to finally close out the win as Kuznetsova volleyed into the net.

Henin added her second crown at Flushing Meadows without losing a set.

'My title in 2003 was a great memory, and this is even better,' said the winner. 'I had two fantastic weeks and played my best tennis.'

The loser had praise for the new champion.

'She played an unbelievable match today,' said Kuznetsova. 'I had hoped to do better, but I hope to be back with a better game in the next final.'

Henin became the first woman to beat both Serena and Venus Williams in the same event on the way to a grand Slam title, after back-to-back wins over the American sister ace in the quarters and semis.

Former world number one Martina Hingis beat both sisters at the Australian Open in 2001 but ended up losing to American Jennifer Capriati.

The men's final lineup for Sunday was decided as Roger Federer collected a perfect 10 as he pounded Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 to produce a title showdown with Novak Djokovic.

Federer is bidding for a fourth straight title in New York, with the third-ranked Djokovic out to stop the march after becoming the first Serbian man to reach a Grand Slam final as he dominated David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Number one Federer came into the contest with a 9-0 record against the fourth seed Davydenko and proceeded to polish it even further in two hours, 21 minutes.

Federer won claimed a roller-coaster third set featuring six straight breaks of serve, advancing into his 10th straight Grand Slam final.

'I'm feeling well. That's the main thing right now, right before the finals,' said Federer.

'Obviously the Saturday (semi), Sunday (final) thing is kind of tough on the players. All of a sudden the rhythm changes entirely, so instead of talking about a match you just played 45 minutes ago, I have to start thinking already about the upcoming match against Djokovic tomorrow.

'I'm feeling great. I know how to play him. I hope I can just do what I do best and hopefully win tomorrow.'

Djokovic owns a win over Federer from last month's final in Montreal, an event where he beat both the Swiss and world number two Rafael Nadal.

'It's going to be my first Grand Slam finals. It's going to be an amazing experience in front of 23,000 people,' said Djokovic.

'I'm really looking forward to it. I hope I can recover and try to win it. I'm proud for myself but also for my country. I'm proud to represent Serbia.'

At age 20, Djokovic is the youngest US Open finalist since Pete Sampras won the title in 1990.

'I think I'm ready, and I need to be ready. I need to believe in myself, because otherwise I wouldn't get the positive outcome,' Djokovic said. 'I don't want to go out tomorrow and try to do my best or try to perform well. No, I'll go tomorrow to try to win.'

Both finalists were preparing a fast turnaround due to the event's schedule, which every year draws criticism.

'I'm looking forward to the final,' said Federer. 'What a heck of a season Novak has had, making his first Grand Slam final. It will be a tense battle for both of us.'