For mum
JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE created history when she beat compatriot Kim Clijsters 6-0, 6-4 in the women's final of the French Open to become the first Belgian grand slam champion. It was also the first grand slam final between two Belgians.The fourth seed Henin never gave Clijsters a chance in the one-sided final to win in 68 minutes before racing to the stands and falling into the arms of husband Pierre-Yves.
Dedicating the win to her deceased mother, the 21-year-old said: "It's a great moment for me today. I went for that win with all my heart. I played for my mum above all, obviously. I want to dedicate that victory to my mum who is watching me from paradise, I'm sure she's very proud of me."
Henin-Hardenne, above far right, had lost her only previous grand slam final at Wimbledon two years ago against Venus Williams but made up for that disappointment with a superb performance in a festival atmosphere.
A day before her 20th birthday, Clijsters was simply overwhelmed by her opponent, her grit and determination no match for the style and finesse of Henin-Hardenne.
With Belgian King Albert and Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt watching from the stands, the history-making match unfurled, beamed back to a giant television screen in Brussels's famous Grand Place.
In the men's competition, third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero overwhelmed surprise finalist Martin Verkerk in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2, to win his first ever Grand Slam title at the French Open on Sunday. Like the women's event, it, too, was a one-sided final where Ferrero's solid baseline game and great returns of serve shut down Verkerk's power game.
The third-seeded Spaniard, above right, a losing finalist last year and a semi-finalist in 2000 and 2001, imposed his clay court skills to defeat the unheralded Verkerk in two hours and four minutes.
FERRERO, 23, is the sixth Spaniard to win the men's title at Roland Garros and the fourth in the past decade.
"It was 12 years ago when I first came to Roland Garros and I always dreamed of winning here. I don't know what to say," the 23-year-old said. "These two weeks were the most special in my life. I was hoping to win and now it's in the bag. I'd like to congratulate Martin, I hope he will keep improving."
Twelve months ago Ferrero was denied victory here when, as overwhelming favourite in the final, his nerves failed him against compatriot Albert Costa.
Verkerk, 24, was the first player to reach the final on his French Open debut since Swede Mikael Pernfors in 1986 but he failed to come up with the goods on the slow surface in a one-sided final. However, he had not won a grand slam match before stepping on to the ochre-hued Parisian clay, and simply lost his way on centre court.
Overwhelmed as he was in the title match, his heroics this past fortnight have lifted him from world number 46 to a ranking of 15. The 420,000 euros ($495,200) he picks up for reaching the final also doubles his career earnings to date.
"I was behind all the time, he played unbelievable. He deserved to win," a shell-shocked Verkerk said. "I never expected to stand here. Now I am here and all I can really say is I am happy for him that he won because he is a great champion. I don't want to get too emotional so I won't say too many words."
Verkerk's game was still far too inconsistent to halt Ferrero's charge. Ferrero forced Verkerk into long rallies in which he took the upper hand. Verkerk tried to change tactics and come to the net more but it only gave Ferrero a chance to make more winners.
Throughout the match, Ferrero was eager to wrap up the match and get the trophy ceremony on its way. El Mosquito honoured his nickname by flying through his service game and wrapping it up in two hours and four minutes to claim his first French Open.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 12 - 18 June 2003 (Issue No. 642)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/642/sp3.htm