MELBOURNE, Australia - There is a never any guarantee that a Grand Slam final will be a classic, but if ever all the right ingredients were in place, it is now. The surprising fact that these two great champions have never met in a major final merely adds to the mouthwatering mix. Between them the finalists at the 2010 Australian Open boast 76 singles titles, including 18 Grand Slams. Combined they have won more than 950 matches, and won $50 million in prize money. Pretty much any way you look at it, they've been the most successful players of the past decade.
Rod Laver Arena
[1] Serena Williams (USA #1) vs. [WC] Justine Henin (BEL NR)
Williams leads 7-6
The last time these two met, at Miami in 2008, Williams beat the top-ranked Henin 62 60, in what was the most lopsided defeat ever suffered by a world No.1. Whether or not the loss was a factor in the Belgian's subsequent decision to retire is moot, for a far closer match is surely on the cards today. While Serena leads the overall series 7-6, and has been dominant on hardcourts (4-1), Henin has won four of their six meetings in Grand Slams. Adding a fresh twist, this is their first encounter at Melbourne Park.
If Serena captures a fifth crown here on Saturday, she'll have won more Australian Open titles than any other player in the Open Era (Margaret Court won seven of her 11 home crowns before 1968.) For her part Henin is bidding to become the third unranked player to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era, after Evonne Goolagong Cawley at the Australian Open in 1977 and Kim Clijsters at the US Open last year. Serena is bidding to be the first top seed to win this event since… Henin in 2004.
And what of their respective form? Serena has served phenomenally well all fortnight, and ignored the strapping on both legs to survive a couple of real scares. Henin has battled too, and was clearly relieved that her easy semifinal win over Zheng Jie gave her body a bit of a reprieve. One thing is certain: neither will let physical issues get in the way in the final. If Grand Slam glory demands an out-of-body experience, these are the women to deliver it.
Serena says: "I definitely think of her as a rival. We bring out the best game in each other. I think that we both just play our hearts out and that's what creates a good rivalry... She's a little more calm, but she's also kind of quiet intense. So I think you kind of have to be at the match to see it, how intense she really is. Her comeback has been amazing; Justine and Kim, it's such a great story."
Justine says: "I have to be honest, I didn't really expect this. It's more than a dream. I'm so happy to play against her because if I want to win another Grand Slam, I'll have to beat the best player of the world. And that's just the biggest challenge I could get. I respect her for who she is, what she did. She is a real champion and proved it again in this tournament - she'a s a real fighter."
