Sports Then and Now

Serena Williams claimed her 12th Grand Slam title with a victory over Justine Henin.

The amazing comeback of Justine Henin didn’t quite have the final culmination she had hoped as Serena Williams, herself looking for personal redemption following her meltdown at the 2009 U.S. Open, defeated Henin in three sets to win the first major of 2010.

Playing in her first major since the 2008 Australian Open, Henin rolled through the field to reach the finals of the Australian Open for the first time since retiring due to illness in the middle of the 2006 final against Amelie Mauresmo.

This time around, Henin made it through the entire match, but it was a tough three set affair against the player that has replaced Henin as the top player in the world.

While Henin was looking to make the Australian Open her statement tournament following her 18 month retirement, Serena Williams was looking to regain some professional dignity following her disqualification at the 2009 U.S. Open.

The defending Australian Open Champion, Williams was looking for her fifth Australian Open title and 12th overall Grand Slam title.

Williams had tough quarterfinal and semifinal matches against Victoria Azarenka (4-6, 7-6, 6-2) and Li Na (7-6, 7-6), but managed to reach the Australian Open finals for the fifth time in eight years.

Squaring off in a Grand Slam final for the first time, Williams and Henin battled through the first two sets.  Williams claimed the initial set 6-4, but Henin battled back to win the second set 6-3.

Henin reached the Australian Open finals in her first major in two years.

Both players seemed to be battling against fatigue in the third set, but Williams overcame the situation to win 6-2 and claim her 12th Grand Slam title.

With the win, she tied Billie Jean King’s total of 12 Grand Slam singles titles.

She also teamed with her sister, Venus to win the Australian Open women’s doubles title for the second straight year and fourth time overall.  The sisters have now won 11 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles.

Despite the loss to Williams, Henin has clearly proclaimed to the tennis world that she is back in top form following her retirement from the game. As a four-time winner of the French Open, you can bet she will be among the favorites when that tournament starts in June.

Even though Serena Williams has not reached the French Open finals since winning the tournament for the only time in 2002, you can bet that she will be ready to roll as well.

With so many great players (all with interesting stories) in the women’s tennis game, it should be an interesting and exciting year.