BERLIN, May 8: Former world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne clinched her third successive claycourt title when she defeated sixth seed Nadia Petrova 6-3 4-6 6-3 to win the German Open on Sunday. The 12th-seeded Belgian has notched up 17 wins in a row, claiming the titles of three of the four events she has played since returning from illness and injury at Key Biscayne in March.

It was also her third title in Berlin having won the event in 2002 and 2003.

Having triumphed at Roland Garros in 2003, Henin-Hardenne’s run of form has made her one of the front-runners for the claycourt grand slam, which begins in Paris on May 23.

With Henin-Hardenne just two points from victory and serving for the match, a rain shower interrupted play but the 22-year-old came back to dispatch her Russian opponent who had challenged her all the way.

The rain slowed down the red clay and allowed Henin-Hardenne, who has used wet conditions all week to her advantage, to vary her shots and force her opponent to the net.

Both players exchanged breaks twice in the first set before Henin-Hardenne took control, winning three games in succession.—Reuters