Henin relishing 'perfect challenge'
Date published :
29 Jan 2010 - 14:27:59
Justine Henin has described her run to the final of the Australian Open as "more than a dream" as she aims to win a grand slam less than a month after returning from retirement.
Without a seeding, the seven-time major winner has had to progress through the draw the hard way but has still come through with flying colours to eliminate the likes of world number five Elena Dementieva, Yanina Wickmayer (16) and Nadia Petrova (19). Her most difficult task looms, however, in Saturday's showpiece when she takes on defending champion and world number one Serena Williams.
"It's a special occasion, but I see it as an opportunity to play the number one player in the world in a grand slam final," she said. "It's more than a dream for me. It's a perfect challenge, and I love this kind of situation."
Henin added: "I think it's going be a mental battle - the one who will want it more will win probably.
"She has served great in the last few matches, always on the important points. I know I'll have to be aggressive generally and use my qualities.
"And, of course, I have the determination and the ambition."
Remarkably it will be the first time Henin and Williams have met in a grand slam final despite sharing 18 major titles between them.
