honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 7:00 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2007

Tennis: Henin advances to Eastbourne semifinals

Associated Press

EASTBOURNE, England — Justine Henin reached the semifinals at Eastbourne, defeating Nicole Vaidisova 6-2, 6-2 today.

The top-ranked Belgian made few mistakes at the Wimbledon warm-up tournament, serving and returning well. Henin led 5-0 in the first set before losing two straight games.

"I was very happy the way I played, and the way I served especially," said Henin, who won her fourth French Open title earlier this month. "My attitude and the way I played tactically was very good and she never really had the time to get a rhythm and really be into the match."

Eighth-seeded Marion Bartoli of France advanced by defeating fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia 6-1, 6-0.

Bartoli, who also beat Dementieva at the French Open, benefited from two successive double-faults to break in the first game. Although she then dropped her own serve in the next game, she swept the next five to take the opening set.

Trailing 4-0 in the second set, Dementieva received a warning for ball abuse.