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French Open: Henin heavily favored to win tomorrow...

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Quietly and with little fanfare, Justine Henin is creating a hall of fame resume that will be greatly enriched if she wins her fourth French Open title tomorrow. She will play seventh-seed Ana Ivanovic who will be in her first slam final and who I do not see taking down Henin who will be playing in her 10th slam final. The Belgian star, ranked number one in the world, has won five of them (2003 U.S. Open and 2004 Australian Open in addition to the titles in Paris). Henin also won the Olympic Games in 2004.
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With a victory, the recently-divorced Henin becomes the first woman to win three consecutive titles at Roland Garros since Monica Seles in 1990-92, and only the fifth to win the title at least four times overall since 1925. The all-time title leader in Paris is Chris Evert (7) followed by Steffi Graf (6) and Margaret Court (5).
"You have to forget about expectations, because it's an added source of pressure," Henin said to the AP Friday. "You don't need it. Everyone is waiting for you. And you also have to play well, if that's possible. It's not easy. It's not the kind of situation that gives me pleasure on a tennis court."
What makes Henin such a heavy favorite over Ivanovic? Let's compare their stats: 32-3 in singles titles, 5-0 in Grand Slam trophies, and 10-1 in Grand Slam finals.

Greg Hernandez

Deuce! is about all things tennis - from the pro game down to the local level. It is anchored by Daily News Staff Writer Greg Hernandez who has profiled such players as Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, and the Bryan brothers. Greg is looking to complete the spectator's grand slam with a visit to the Australian Open someday soon. He has already been to Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open.
greg.hernandez@dailynews.com

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