AP News, May 7th, 2007
Justine Henin beat Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3 Monday to win the J&S Cup for the second time in three years in a final delayed a day because of rain.
"To wait yesterday was pretty hard," Henin said. "It's a little bit sad we had to play a final on Monday morning _ it's the first time in my career. But finally it was a good day today."
Henin, ranked No. 1, has reached the final in four of her five tournaments this year. Her mix of powerful groundstrokes and a solid net play overwhelmed her 40th-ranked opponent.
"She plays well at the net, really everything gave me troubles," Bondarenko said. "I'm happy that I played with Justine, and I hope that next time I'll play better."
Henin broke serve in the opening game, then hit a forehand crosscourt winner at 5-1 to break again and win the first set. The Belgian dropped only three points on serve during the set, two on double-faults.
"I was jittery in the first set," Bondarenko said. "It's the first time I've played against Justine and I couldn't get my bearings in the first set, and only in the second did I start to do something."
After trading breaks early in the second set, Bondarenko hit a backhand winner to hold three break points at 2-2. But Henin reeled off five straight points, capped by a forehand winner to hold serve.
"In the second set, I lost a little bit of my intensity," Henin said. "Things were going a little bit too easy at that time and I lost my concentration for a few games."
At 4-3, Henin broke with a forehand volley to lead 5-3 and served out the match.
