Toronto--(lawntennismag.com) World number one Justine Henin of Belgium can normally count on success
on the clay at the French Open where she won the women's singles title this spring and has won four singles titles overall. Her dazzling array of shots and
spins including one of the best one-handed backhands ever most often translate into frustration for her opponents on slower surfaces where Henin has the
time to properly prepare to set up to strike almost every ball.
On faster surfaces however Henin can be overpowered by taller and stronger players such the American sisters Venus Williams and Serena Williams who
this year won Wimbledon and the Australian Open respectively. A third power player, Maria Sharapova of Russia defeated Henin in the final of last year's
US Open.
In 2003 Henin won her lone US Open singles title and has been prone to mental and physical fatigue in more recent years. After losing at Wimbledon in
a shocking semifinal defeat to unknown Marion Bartoli of France this year, tonight's second round match marks Henin's first trip back to tennis
competition in four weeks. She takes on Slovenian qualifier Andreja Klepac, whom she has never faced previously.
Klepac this year has been active in lower level Tier III tournaments and has a WTA Tour record of 31-25. Henin should roll over her in straight sets, but the
match might be fun to watch tonight on the Tennis Channel. And for Henin it's a chance to build towards a larger goal of success at the upcoming US Open.
"My first opponent here in Toronto is my next goal," Henin said. "I've proved many times in the past I can play very well on the hardcourt. I won the U.S.
Open four years ago so I can play well on this surface."
