Henin confident ahead of quad bid

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 21 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Justine Henin insists she is happy with her preparation ahead of next week's French Open and is full of confidence going into the tournament.

Having missed the Australian Open due to the break-up of her marriage, Henin has claimed three titles on her return to the court, winning in Dubai, Qatar and Warsaw.

The victory in Poland was one of just two events she has played on clay ahead of the Paris showpiece, losing in the semi-finals in Berlin in the other, but she insists she is happy with her build-up and is confident she can claim her fourth French crown.

"I have managed to get good practice in the last two weeks. I have played some tough matches and I feel confident before the French Open," Henin said.

"All these matches have made things good for me ahead of the French Open."

The world number one is a strong 2.66 favourite to win in Paris, ahead of Australian Open winner Serena Williams at 5.8, Jelena Jankovic at 10.5 and Amelie Mauresmo at 15.

However, Henin has singled out Svetlana Kuznetsova (16.5) as her biggest threat to French glory.

The five-time 'Slam winner boasts a 14-2 record in head-to-heads between the two, including a straight-sets victory in last year's final at Roland Garros, but was beaten in three sets the last time the two met on this surface - in Berlin earlier this month.

"Clay is Svetlana's favourite surface. She has the potential to go all the way," said Henin.

"How a player does at a grand slam depends on so many things. We have to look at the draw, the playing conditions or if somebody is sick or injured."