New York, September 2:

French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne struggled with her game and her composure before finally overcoming Maria Sanchez Lorenzo of Spain 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the US Open on Thursday. Henin-Hardenne blew four match points in the ninth game of the second set, then served out for the win.

Lindsay Davenport, a finalist at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, had little trouble in her 6-1, 6-1 victory over Pauline Parmentier of France. Three-time French champ Gustavo Kuerten’s bid to win his second Grand Slam match in 15 months ended with a 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain. Belgium’s Xavier Malisse beat American wild card Brian Baker 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

Two days after his stunning upset of Andy Roddick, Gilles Muller was back to looking like the best player from Luxembourg in a 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 loss to doubles partner Robby Ginepri. The loss was so thorough, it lasted only 80 minutes.

Seeded seventh, Henin wasn’t at her best on Thursday. Normally a perfectionist, she was bothered by the second day of stiff wind and her game didn’t have its typical crispness or precision. She double-faulted on the first point of the match and did it again on break point, allowing Sanchez Lorenzo to go up 1-0.

By the time the first set ended, Henin-Hardenne had four double-faults — double her total from her first match. She finished the match with eight double-faults, end lad only two aces.

She got only 53 per cent of her first serves in, and converted only four of her 11 break-point chances. She lad 27 winners to Sanchez Lorenzo’s four, but also made 22 unforced errors.

Results — Men: Xavier Mal-isse beat Brian Baker 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4; Tommy Robredo beat Gustavo Kuerten 5-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2; Robby Ginepri beat Gilles Muller 6-1, 6-1, 6-4; Sebastien Grosjean beat Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Women: Jelena Jankovic beat Alexa Glatch 6-2, 6-0; Justine Henin beat Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 6-3, 6-4; Elena Likh-ovtseva beat Magdalena Male-eva 6-2, 6-1; Lindsay Davenport beat Pauline Parmentier 6-1, 6-1; Anastasia Myskina beat Amy Frazier 6-3, 6-2.