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Too easy

Still untested, Belgian teen Henin moves into quarters

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Justine Henin doesn't plan on letting up just because she has reached the quarterfinals. AP

PARIS (Reuters) -- Belgian 14th seed Justine Henin became the first player through to the French Open quarterfinals when she strolled past Austria's Barbara Schett 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday.

After injuring her ankle at the German Open, Henin had nearly ruled herself out of the trip to Paris, but she has found her form at Roland Garros to march into the last eight without dropping a set.

"It is the first time in my career I have reached the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam and I hope it is not going to be the last," said Henin, who celebrated her 19th birthday on Friday with a third-round win over Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano. "It had to happen one day and it has today.

"I'm particularly happy that it should happen at the French Open because three weeks ago I twisted my ankle and I wasn't sure I would be able to make it here.

"Now here I am in the quarterfinals.

"It's a beautiful present and I'm not going to stop there."

Schett, who upset second seed Venus Williams in straight sets in the first round, began the match in convincing style, breaking Henin on her opening serve and establishing a 3-0 lead.

But Henin, as cool as the morning conditions, calmly regrouped to sweep through the next eight games to take the first set and jump ahead 2-0 in the second.

"I had a bit of pressure on my shoulders but when I started being more aggressive my game improved," said Henin, who opened the season by claiming back-to-back titles at the Gold Coast and Canberra. "She was very aggressive at the beginning and prevented me from really getting into the court, and then I took control of the match."

After trading a pair of breaks, Henin again assumed control of the contest, dictating play from the baseline and closing out the match with another break of serve.

The Belgian will meet 17-year-old Russian Lina Krasnoroutskaya in the last eight.

"I know she [Krasnoroutskaya] is going to fight but sometimes she plays very well and sometimes she does not," Henin said. "I have enough weapons but will have to be very cautious."

 

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