MELBOURNE, Jan 31: Normally ruthlessly calm, Justine Henin-Hardenne admitted to suffering from nerves and high emotions as she fought to win her first Australian Open title on Saturday.
What started as a lop-sided women's singles final between the world number one and fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters reached a dramatic climax at Melbourne Park.
"That's just unbelievable. Three grand slams in six months is amazing for me," Henin-Hardenne told reporters following the 6-3 4-6 6-3 win.
Clijsters, yet to claim a major title despite meeting Henin-Hardenne in three of the last four grand slam finals, twice fought back before Henin-Hardenne clinched victory.
"I was very emotional, I thought I couldn't close the match," said Henin-Hardenne, who also holds the French and U.S. titles.
"We were nervous, the both of us. It probably wasn't a good match of tennis."
Henin-Hardenne, 21, appeared to be heading for an easy win when she raced through the opening set.
When a tentative Clijsters surrendered her serve in the sixth game of the second set, another straight-sets victory in a grand slam final seemed inevitable for Henin-Hardenne.
However, second seed Clijsters fought back, breaking Henin-Hardenne for the first time in the match in the next game and going on to win the set as the tension grew.
When Henin-Hardenne regained the initiative to grab a 4-0 lead in the third set, the match appeared over.
Clijsters charged back yet again, breaking Henin-Hardenne to take three successive games.
Clijsters's fiance Lleyton Hewitt nervously looked on and most of the Melbourne Park crowd were firmly behind their adopted daughter, adding to Henin-Hardenne's nerves.
Emotions ran higher still when Henin-Hardenne held a break point in the eighth game and Clijsters's volley clipped the outside of the baseline but was overruled by the umpire.
"The umpire took her responsibilities and I think that it was a very tough call but I think it was just long," Henin-Hardenne said.
The break secured, Henin-Hardenne served out for victory.
Henin-Hardenne said winning Wimbledon, the only grand slam title to elude her so far, was a priority, as was matching Venus and Serena Williams when the injured sisters return.
Henin-Hardenne credited her success to the extra physical work she has been doing since last year.
Results:
Women's singles (final): Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL x1) bt Kim Clijsters (BEL x2) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
Men's doubles (final): Michael Llodra (FRA)/Fabrice Santoro (FRA x5) bt Bob Bryan (USA)/Mike Bryan (USA x1) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.-Reuters/AFP