Sports

Henin claims J&S Cup

Henin claims J&S Cup

By Associated Press

Warsaw, May 7:

Justine Henin beat Alona Bondarenko 6-1, 6-3 to win her second J&S Cup title on Monday. The top-ranked Belgian had to wait a day to add to her 2005 title because of rain.

Henin broke in the opening game, and then hit a forehand crosscourt winner at 5-1 to break again and win the first set. She dominated the set: dropping three points on serve, two of which were double faults.

After trading breaks early in the second set, Bondarenko hit a backhand winner to hold three break points at 2-2. But Henin reeled off five straight points, capped by a forehand winner to hold serve.

At 4-3, Henin broke with a forehand volley to lead 5-3 and served out the match.

Henin’s mix of powerful groundstrokes and a solid net game overwhelmed the Ukrainian. “She plays well at the net, really everything gave me troubles,” Bondarenko. “I’m happy that I played with Justine.” Henin, who has reached the final in four of the five tournaments she’s entered in 2007, has won nine straight games in Warsaw.