Shock Defeat for Henin-hardenne

Justine Henin-Hardenne made the earliest exit by a women's top seed in French Open history today when she lost 7-5, 6-4 to the Italian world No86 Tathiana Garbin in the second round. The defending champion had been laid low by a virus and came into the tournament on the back of six weeks'...
Justine Henin-Hardenne made the earliest exit by a women's top seed in French Open history today when she lost 7-5, 6-4 to the Italian world No86 Tathiana Garbin in the second round.

The defending champion had been laid low by a virus and came into the tournament on the back of six weeks' inactivity, allowing Garbin to take full advantage.

Never before in 79 years of the women's singles at Roland Garros had the top seed lost before the third-round stage.

Garbin broke Henin-Hardenne twice in the opening set, then made her pay for an unsually tentative service game by breaking again to go 2-0 up in the second.

Henin-Hardenne fought back to take a 4-2 lead, only for Garbin to claw her way back to 5-4.

After missing out on two match points in Henin-Hardenne's next service game, Garbin then sealed victory with a rasping back-hand pass.


© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 5/26/2004
 
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