By Etienne Stekelenburg
October 26 2002

Alexandra Stevenson and Justin Henin both reached the final at the Generali Open in Linz, Austria. The players never played each other in a final. Stevenson defeated Hantuchova and Henin had a victory over Rubin. American Alexandra Stevenson can take her first tournament victory in Linz Austria, she only has to beat Belgian 6th ranked Justine Henin who already has one tournament title.

Stevenson already defeated players like top seeded Jennifer Capriati, Conchita Martinez and sixth seeded Anastasia Myskina with impressive tennis. Daniela Hantuchova, fifth seeded, was defeated in two sets on Saturday.

The second set ended with a tiebreak 6:4 7:6 (8:6). Stevenson scored her match point with her twelfth ace.

The 21 year-old American saved three set points in the second set at 5:3 and forced her opponent Hantuchova into a tiebreak.

“I lost to Daniela in Filderstadt so badly, I had to win this one,” Stevenson said. “I am playing my best tennis right now.”

Justine Henin defeated Chanda Rubin in a close semi-final match. Both players showed an excellent form but Henin almost gave away the first set.

After a comfortable lead of 5:2 Henin was forced to play a tiebreak where she dominated (7:1) and she won the first set.

Chanda Rubin, the American who is ranked at #14, defeated Jelena Dokic in the quarterfinals earlier.

The 4th seeded Belgian Henin was a little bit too strong for her today although the match could have ended both ways.

“It was a tough match,” Henin said. “Chanda varies her game very often and so it is important to stay calm. Playing against Alexandra will be hard, because she is very confident after having defeated some great champions.”