ATHENS, Aug 22: Li Ting and Sun Tian Tian won China's first Olympic medal in tennis on Sunday, taking the women's doubles gold with a solid victory over Spain. The Chinese rolled over Conchita Martinez and Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 6-3 on centre court.
While for the Chinese, victory meant a first Olympic medal in the sport for their nation, defeat for Martinez left her still hankering for gold. The former Wimbledon singles champion has a doubles silver medal from Barcelona in 1992 and a bronze from Atlanta in 1996 - both won with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
The Chinese pair had beaten Paola Suarez and Patricia Tarabini in the semifinals. The Argentines went on to win bronze. In a curious twist, Spain's Ruano Pascual and Argentina's Suarez are the world's top-ranked doubles pair while Martinez and Tarabini also competed as a winning doubles pair for many years.
Earlier on Saturday, Justine Henin-Hardenne blasted her way to gold, beating Amelie Mauresmo 6-3, 6-3 in a clash of the world's top two players. Shrugging off a 12-week lay-off caused by a mystery viral illness, the Belgian overwhelmed Mauresmo in 78 minutes to take the title in her first Olympics.
"It's amazing ... I am very proud," Henin-Hardenne said. "I don't know yet how to celebrate tonight but I surely will do." The world number one broke a jittery Mauresmo twice to take the opening set and the Frenchwoman failed to get a foot-hold in the second set.
With International Olympic Committee President and fellow Belgian Jacques Rogge watching from the stands, the 22-year-old wrapped up victory with a smash to land her country their first gold medal of the 2004 Games.
It was a determined performance and one which underlined her status as the world's best player as well as her reputation as the sport's gutsiest fighter. Playing her sixth game in six days, despite the virus which laid her low for the three months leading up to this tournament, she looked as fresh as ever, sprinting around the centre court to nail winners into the corners.
The Frenchwoman is yet to win a Grand Slam title, her nerves letting her down at key moments on the biggest stage. -Agencies
MEDALS TABLE
ATHENS, Aug 22: Medals table at 1845 GMT on the ninth day of competition at the Olympics on Sunday:
