Justine Henin-Hardenne fought through the pain barrier to win a dramatic battle with former world number one Lindsay Davenport to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals today. Henin-Hardenne, who had never beaten ninth-seeded Davenport in five previous meetings, clinched a 7-5, 5-7, 9-7 victory despite collapsing in agony towards the end of the three hour epic. In the men's tournament it was a routine day for second seed Andre Agassi, who made it safely into the quarter-finals after Argentinian opponent Guillermo Coria retired injured with Agassi leading 6-1, 3-1.
In energy-sapping afternoon heat, Belgian fifth seed Henin-Hardenne beat Davenport in the most compelling match of the Grand Slam event so far. Henin-Hardenne collapsed with cramps after attempting to serve at 0-15 down and the match poised at 7-7 in the final set. When she returned she produced a second service ace and held before clinching the match. Henin-Hardenne will now play Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual in the next round, who defeated the Czech Republic's Denisa Chladkova 6-3, 6-3.
There was an unconvincing win for women's second seed Venus Williams, who looked way off her best in disposing of Australia's Nicole Pratt 6-3, 6-2. Four-time Grand Slam winner Williams will play Daniela Hantuchova in the next round after the Slovakian seventh seed earned a 7-5, 6-3 win over Switzerland's Patty Schnyder. After Williams' shaky performance, Hantuchova will fancy her chances of causing problems again for an opponent she took to three sets in last year's Open. But Williams shrugged off her jittery display and said she had expected Pratt to provide an awkward challenge. "I was expecting her to play really well," said Williams. "I know she's a really good competitor, no matter what the score is, how far down she was. I did know going into the match I would have to compete."
In the men's event, second seed Agassi will face Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean in the quarter-finals, after fourth round opponent Guillermo Coria retired injured as Agassi led 6-1, 3-1. Agassi was happy to have been given a light examination as the second week looms. "It came as a bit of a surprise, but there's some good in it. I've had enough tennis to be ready. I'll certainly be rested and ready to go," Agassi said. Grosjean, the 12th seed, defeated Spaniard Felix Mantilla 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, battling from two sets down to advance.
Spanish fourth seed Juan Carlos Ferrero meanwhile had too much class for young Croatian Mario Ancic. Ferrero advanced to his first Grand Slam quarter-final outside his preferred French Open with a 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 win. The Spaniard will play South African Wayne Ferreira in the last eight on Tuesday.
Filed by James Boylan.
