By Chris Davies
May 13 2003

Justine Henin-Hardenne defended her German Mastercard Open crown after beating fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters in one of the best matches of the year 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 Henin-Hardenne cruised to a 2-0 lead in the first set. But Kim came back to 2-3 and was always in an uphill struggle all the way through the match.

Clijsters won 3 games in a row for a 4-3 lead loses her serve helping Henin-Hardenne to win the first set 6-4.

Clijsters received some brief treatment on her left thigh at the end of the first set returning with it heavily strapped causing her movement to be restricted and Henin-Hardenne storming to a 4-1 lead.

The world number 2 wasn't out of it yet breaking the third seeded serve to come back 4-2 then 4-3. Clijsters takes her fifth game in a row to win the set 6-4 and now goes into the third set a strong favourite.

The third set was very tight with no breaks of serve and Henin-Hardenne serving at 4-5 to stay in the match, Clijsters had a match point which proved to be her only chance of winning the match.

After this game Justine seemed to be the more domineering player winning 3 games in a row.

The world number 4 served out for the match storming to 40-0 sealing victory on her second match point to retain her Berlin crown.

Final Result

(3) J HENIN-HARDENNE (BEL) bt (1) K CLIJSTERS (BEL)
6-4, 4-6, 7-5