Two-time defending champion Justine Henin and world number two Maria Sharapova stormed into the semifinals of the French Open on Tuesday in straight sets.
Henin (25) gave United States star Serena Williams a lesson in clay-court tennis that had the Australian Open champion once again smashing her racket in frustration at the Philippe Chatrier centre court as she fell 6-4, 6-3 to the top seed.
The Belgian was joined in the final four by three first-time French Open semifinalists, including Sharapova, who defeated Russian compatriot Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-4.
”I pretty much stood back and let her take advantage of me. I feel violated,” said eighth-seeded Williams. ”All she had to do was show up.”
Henin next meets Jelena Jankovic, with reigning US Open champion Sharapova facing off against Ana Ivanovic, the first time that two women from Serbia have reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam event.
Jankovic (22) brushed aside Czech sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova 6-3, 7-5 as Ivanovic (19) battled past last year’s runner-up, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1.
However, the eagerly awaited match between Henin and Williams, considered by many the final before the final of this year’s tournament, never lived up to expectations.
The centre-court clash also marked the first time Henin and Williams have played at Roland Garros since their controversial semifinal in 2003 when Henin defeated the defending champion in three sets.
The American left the court in tears after being jeered by the partisan Paris public who had swung behind the underdog after a series of controversial incidents.
She had the same jeers ringing in her ears this time as she again smashed her racket in frustration after losing her opening service game in the second set.
”I think they were definitely for Justine, but it doesn’t bother me,” said Williams.
”Nothing worked today [Tuesday]. I don’t think I’ve ever played so bad in a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam.”
Henin, who missed the Australian Open as she was dealing with the break-up of her marriage, refused to put her victory down to her opponent’s poor form.
”I thought I just did a good job,” said Henin. ”I did everything I could to control the match. I didn’t let her come back.
”It’s my first Grand Slam of the year so I didn’t know what to expect,” added Henin, who has won the title here in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
But despite being the favourite, the five-time Grand Slam winner said she was expecting a tough challenge from Jankovic whom she has beaten in all five of their previous meetings.
”It’s going to be another difficult match. I’m one of the oldest on the circuit now. Tennis is evolving and new players are coming through,” she added of a player who is just three years her junior.
Sharapova, meanwhile, has now reached at least the semifinals of all the four Grand Slams and she did it in style on Tuesday pulling off her fourth career win over Chakvetadze. — AFP
