Australian Open Day 13 Open Thread: Women's Final
After laying dormant for almost two years, the Serena vs. Henin rivalry resumes on the grandest of stages. Hope you're not sleeping through this dream final.
Not Before 19:30
Serena Williams (USA)[1] v. Justine Henin (BEL)[W]
I rewrote my prediction piece for this final about twelve times before finally deciding that I really don't know. The one thing I expect is an awesome match. If it goes three, that could spell trouble for the gimpier Serena, but that's really the only thing I can say with any degree of certainty.
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Comments
Oddsmakers say 50-50. I’d have to agree.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Serena really looking shaky here in the opening game. Facing two break points already
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
They're both having shaky moments.
Lots of pressure.
by srberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 1-0* Justine
And after four deuces, Serena holds. Real big first game.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
3 correct challenges already, less than two games in.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, a 95 mph forehand return winner from Serena. That’s as fast a women’s groundstroke as I’ve ever seen.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena *1-1 Justine
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena *2-1 Justine
Saves another break point in the process.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, quick 0-40 for Serena on Henin’s second service game.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena *3-1 Justine
Serena breaks at love. Really switched it on there.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 4-1* Justine
Already some drama. On break point, Justine thought she had hit a winner, but it was actually called out by a line judge who immediately called it out. The crowd boos. They replay the point, and Serena hits a service winner followed by a loud audible obscenity from Justine. The crowd boos again.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena *4-2 Justine
Fairly easy hold.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 4-3* Justine
A forehand winner, followed by a break, followed by an “allez!”
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena *4-4 Justine
Holds at love. Momentum really seems to have shifted with that controversy in the fifth game.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 5-4* Justine
Her most routine service game so far.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Justine saves one break/set point…
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Here comes another…
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena *6-4 Justine
A netcord winner falls just outside the line, but no challenge.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 1-0* Justine
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Justine saves two break points off Serena backhand errors.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 1-1 Justine
Three aces for Justine so far, about three more than I would’ve expected in this match.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 1-2* Justine
Henin breaks at love, and the crowd goes wild.
Short memories on these people.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, *2-2 Justine
Some real bad Henin errors give the break right back.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I predicted a Serena win
and she’s performed better on break points. Simple as
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 4:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe spoke to soon
Serena fails to break after several chances. Maybe that’s not what’s seperating them!
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Justine stays alive.
Making some good shots.
by srberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Superb backhand
Serena wants to finish this
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, *3-5 Justine
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, Justine is really racing through the end of this set.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 0-0* Justine
Breaks at love to take the second set.
This is the first three-set women’s final since Wimbledon 2006.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow Henin kicked ass there
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
10 Points in a row
Most of them down the line winners
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sad that I have to leave to meet a friend for breakfast soon
As this is great stuff!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Still recovering from the boxing last night
I stayed up. Stupid me
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like to imagine that Paul Williams
Is related to the Williams sisters!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have two questions
Is Justine now favourtie?
Was Federer-Nadal (Aus Open) better than Federer-Nadal (Wimbledon)?
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
To the first question, I’d say yes. To the second, I don’t think so at all. Their Australian meeting was real sloppy, relatively.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Justine is cruising. So she must be favourite. Holding to love again. 15 Points in a rown
Both were crackers. But Wimbledon for me aswell.
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *0-1 Justine
Justine has won fifteen straight points.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
True grit needed by Serena now
2 break points saved, let’s see the game through now
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 1-1* Justine
HUGE hold.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Looks like it
Important hold that might have deflated Henin a little bit. Is she going to start missing those winners?
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, she is.
4 Unforced errors and Serena breaks
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like it, for sure. She and her crowd are deflated.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *2-1 Justine
Listless game for Henin, big break for Serena.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Women's tennis needed Henin and Clisters
It was so uncompetitve without them
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's true
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So many errors!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
SO many. It’s gotten real ugly.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 2-2* Justine
Surprisingly lackadaisical effort from Serena
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Williams looks like she may be losing her mental game a bit
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
As is Henin though.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Serena wins
does she join Billie Jean-King at 12 Grand Slams?
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yup, that’s correct.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *3-2 Justine
Disappointingly WTAish third set thus far.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
WTAish?
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Break after break, errors everywhere, no momentum…
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's a higher level version of Venus-Li
No-one able to hold, errors everywhere
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, you're right
The standard has dropped, WTAish might be a bit harsh though
by Dafs on Jan 30, 2010 5:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Competitive set so far
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes but they are still close
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 4-2* Justine
Phenomenal second serve ace to get the big hold.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Most likely
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *5-2 Justine
Match on her racquet
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice ace to start off there
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
And another...
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I just saw Shumenov make the ticker
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A dominant final game
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Game, Set, Match, Championship Serena Williams
Serena Williams (USA)1 def. Justine Henin (BEL) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for stopping by folks!
Hope to see you back here tomorrow for the men’s final.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think Federer in 4, but it really all depends on Murray.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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