Henin marches on at Paris Open

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Justin Henin was forced to come from a set down to beat Emilie Loit and book her place in the second round of the Paris Open on Wednesday.

Playing her first match since November because of personal reasons, top seed Henin was second best as her French opponent took the first set.

But the world number two soon found her rhythm and served 14 aces in total to wrap up a 3-6 6-2 6-2 victory and secure a place in the last eight of the competition, where she will face either home favourite Tatiana Golovin or Russia's Ekaterina Bychkova.
"In the first set I just wasn't playing. I didn't take the initiative," said 24-year-old Henin. "I waited a while and then my level rose. I was very happy after that.

"I played the first set on the defensive without being positive but then I started volleying more and hitting more to her backhand.

"But I didn't move well and was a lot slower around the court than before."
Henin is available at 3.4 to win the tournament in the Winner's market, while potential opponent Golovin is trading at 13 and Bychkova can be found at a huge 120 to claim the top prize.

Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, one of four players to receive a first-round bye, will face Nathalie Dechy next up and can be found just behind Henin at 3.55 to win the Open Gaz de France.