Never in doubt: Henin cruises to title

NEW YORK - It has been her most emotional year - a divorce from Pierre-Yves Hardenne, her fourth French crown, an untimely English tumble. What Justine Henin wanted here last night was another jour de gloire and she got it, reclaiming her US Open tennis title with 6-1, 6-3 win over former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"Tonight, it's been fantastic," said the 25-year-old Henin, after she'd won her second US crown in five years and her seventh major. "I've had two amazing weeks and I played my best tennis."

There hasn't been a more lopsided final here since Chris Evert blew out Evonne Goolagong, 6-3, 6-0, on Forest Hills clay in 1976 and it was never in doubt.

Henin, who ran through the tournament without dropping a set after losing last year's final to Maria Sharapova, never lost serve despite seven double faults, broke Kuznetsova four times, and hit 25 winners.

"I would like to congratulate Justine for playing an unbelievable tournament and an unbelievable match today," said Kuznetsova, 22, who became the first Russian women's champion here three years ago. "I hope to be back with a better game in the final next year."

After wiping out Serena and Venus Williams in the previous two rounds, the world's top-ranked player wanted badly to win the Slam title that eluded her at Wimbledon, where she was upset by Marion Bartoli in the semis. "It would mean a lot to me after my disappointing loss in Wimbledon," she said, "and the fact that I've been dominating the clay for the last few years."

Martina Hingis, the last woman who pulled off the Sister Slam in a major, didn't win the tournament, losing to Jennifer Capriati in straight sets in the 2001 Australian final. But Henin, who owned a 14-2 career record over Kuznetsova, was a prohibitive favorite last night.

If you'd watched the semifinals, you could see this coming. Henin had squelched the elder Williams, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. Kuznetsova was coming off a shaky decision over Anna Chakvetadze, where she lost the opening set, was broken five times, and made 35 unforced errors.

Kuznetsova, who'd won only one title this year to Henin's six, was on the defensive from the moment Henin broke her to begin the match. Before the latecomers had settled into their seats, Henin was up, 4-0, and rolling. "C'mon, Venus!" one spectator yelled from the second deck.

The blockish Kuznetsova had nearly 3 inches and 35 pounds on the Belgian terrier, but she couldn't match her shotmaking, her retrieving, and her tenacity. Whenever the Russian thought she had her foot on her rival's throat, Henin bounced up and away.

Twice, Kuznetsova made gallant stands. At 1-5, she saved a set point on her serve and had a game point before Henin induced her to hit three balls into the net for the break.

Then, after blowing a 40-0 cushion on her serve at 1-2 in the second, Kuznetsova survived three breakers, only to see Henin play the point of the match to force another.

After the Russian made her scramble to the left corner, Henin swatted an astounding backhand. Then, after Kuznetsova went to the right corner, Henin dashed back and ripped a forehand that Kuznetsova couldn't get over the net. Next thing the Russian knew, she was down, 1-3, and the evening was all but gone.

The courtside box-holders, who'd paid $500 for 82 minutes of tennis, implored Kuznetsova to keep going, but once Henin had the championship game on her racquet, she wasn't going to let it get away, even after her rival had three break points. The way it ended was symbolic - Kuznetsova sprawled in no-woman's land while Henin lifted a lob over her head into the open court and began celebrating.

Her first victory here, over countrywoman Kim Clijsters in 2003, was incredible, she said. This one felt the same. "I'm just older," Henin observed.