Henin begins Paris defence with win

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Defending champion Justine Henin gained a straight sets victory in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.

The Belgian ace beat Russia's Elena Vesnina 6-4 6-3, but certainly didn't have it all her own way after enduring a long delay due to the rain.

The top seed was broken twice in the first set and once in the second set, with Henin guilty of several unforced errors. But the 24-year-old dug deep and had enough to claim victory as her opponent faded in the second set.

Henin, aiming for a fourth title at Roland Garros, revealed: "The weather is appalling, and it's going to be the same throughout the weeks.

"Winning is all that counts. It was a bit tiring to play in these weather conditions."

The Belgian will now face Austria's Tamira Paszek, who beat Aiko Nakamura of Japan 6-4 6-0 in her second round match. Paszek took Henin to three sets when they met in Dubai earlier this year, with Henin admitting: "Paszek is very talented, she's a winner."
Despite a stuttering start, Henin remains the 2.66 favourite to win her third consecutive French Open title.

Those who fancy a hat-trick of wins for both Henin and Rafael Nadal can back the defending champions at 4.1 in Betfair's 'Winning Double' market.