Henin-Hardenne (left) and Mauresmo (right)
LONDON (REUTERS):
AFTER A succession of blunderbuss women's finals at Wimbledon, today's showpiece between Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne promises an old-fashioned dual of flashing backhands, subtle slices and rapier volleys.
Following the biff and bash of the Williams sisters, the shrieking intensity of Maria Sharapova and the bludgeoning blows of Lindsay Davenport, a clash between the elfin-like Belgian and the swashbuckling Frenchwoman could be a treat for the purists.
Whatever happens on Centre Court, the Venus Rosewater Dish will have a new name engraved on it today.
The 24-year-old Henin-Hardenne, three times the French Open champion, lost her only Wimbledon final in 2001 to Venus Williams while Mauresmo's victory over Sharapova here on Thursday ended a run of three semi-final defeats.
It will be the first time the duo have traded their unique array of firepower at the All England Club. The motivation could not be greater for both players.
Henin-Hardenne needs a Wimbledon title to complete her career Grand Slam, while Mauresmo, although she is loath to admit it, wants to prove that her sole major title at this year's Australian Open was not a fluky one-off.
In Melbourne, the 27-year-old led a charmed life when first an injured Kim Clijsters retired in their semi-final and then Henin-Hardenne quit in the final with a stomach bug.
She also wants to become the first French winner of the women's singles since Suzanne Lenglen in 1925.
"It just feels strange that no French woman has done it again since then," she told reporters yesterday. "Hopefully I'll be able to join her on the board."
HEALTHY RESPECT
Henin-Hardenne won the French Open without dropping a set and is yet to concede one here. A straight sets victory today would equal Serena Williams' feat in 2002 when she won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open unblemished.
However, she has a healthy respect for Mauresmo and believes the outcome of the final is too close to call.
"It's going to be 50-50," she said.
"I want it a lot, but it will depend on the way I will play, and will depend how Mauresmo is going to play.
"I will have to be at my best level if I want to win this one ... it's going to be tactically very exciting, very interesting tomorrow.
"We both move forward a lot. We come to the net. We both have a good game on grass."
Before their truncated final in Melbourne, the previous most important clash was in the final of the 2004 Athens Olympics when Henin-Hardenne won in straight sets.
Mauresmo admits that the Belgian possesses a more steely core but is happy to live with her often frayed nerves.
"Justine was able much younger than me to control her emotions," Mauresmo said. "We're all very different.
"Emotions are a big part in women and in women's sports. But it makes it pretty exciting. Sometimes you suffer a lot but then the reward is even better."
She is determined to put on a show, however.
"It finally comes that I have the opportunity to play for the title here," she said. "It's the most prestigious tournament in the world.
"I think it's a great match-up on paper, it's really a great final. Also, the style of play we both play on this surface, it's going to make it pretty exciting."
After what has been a far from memorable women's tournament, it would be fitting if two of the sport's most dashing playmakers leave a memory to savour.
