By Chris Davies
February 2 2004

Justine Henin-Hardenne claimed her second successive Grand Slam tournament and her first Australian Open, defeating compatriot Kim Clijsters in the final The small Belgian had comfortably claimed the first set 6-3 over her compatriot and looked like yet another straight forward win, but there were plenty of twists and turns in the match.

Kim struggled with her serve throughout the match which was a disadvantage and did not stamp authority in the match with her powerful game.

Eventhough Justine Henin-Hardenne as all the shots in the bag she does not have the muscle and power of the big girls but shows that talent goes a long long way.

The world number one raced to a 4-2 lead in the second set and looked on her way for a pretty impressive straight sets defeat.

But the world number two had other plans and broke back and held serve to level at 4-4. Suddenly Clijsters started to play her game making powerful winners on each wing and attacking Henin-Hardenne's serve to seal the second set 6-4.

The match was impossible to call now as Clijsters confidence started to grow and Henin-Hardenne looked as if she may lose.

But yet another twist in the match with the French and US Open winner storming into a 4-0 lead and looked as if she would easily finish of the match.

The Australian crowd started to get behind Kim even more helping her to find some kind of miracle and looked on the cards as she came back to 4-3.

Kim Clijsters was serving to level the third set at 4-4 but Henin-Hardenne held break points. The first and only time in the match the umpire overruled a lines judge call on a floating lob which should have been easily put away with Clijsters placing it on the edge of the baseline.

The crowd and Clijsters were not impressed and was the final twist in the match handing Henin-Hardenne the crown. She retains the world number one ranking and has now only to win Wimbledon.

Final Results
(1) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) bt (2) Kim Clijsters (BEL)
6-3, 4-6, 6-3