Justine Henin has been known as a great player with an unpredictable mind. If her nerves stayed in check she could beat anybody. But it's that 'if' that has prevented tennis pundits from calling her the unquestionable number one player in the world. If Serena or Venus are on their game, if Sharapova has her serve, then well ... Henin can't stand up to that.

Tonight, Justine Henin made those reservations seem a little silly. She won her seventh Grand Slam and second U.S. Open in the most dominating and convincing effort of her career.  read more »

After her stellar straight-sets semifinal victory, a reporter told Justine Henin that Venus Williams said she wasn't feeling 100 percent today.

"I'm surprised," interrupted Henin, in a deadpan voice.

This evening, Justine Henin become the first player since Martina Hingis at the 2001 Australian Open to beat both Williams sisters in one Grand Slam.  read more »

If Venus Williams goes on to win tomorrow night and then in the final, it will give the Williams sisters three of this year’s four Grand Slams -- an enormous comeback for them.

Yet, if we return to Mary Carillo’s point from two weeks ago -- that the Williams sisters haven’t lived to their potential -- here’s something that underscores it.

Serena Williams has finished only one year at number one; Venus Williams never has.  read more »

Think Serena was a little ticked off a couple nights ago? This is in the third game of the second set that was soon about to get away from her. Read Serena's lips and you be the judge.

This gem comes from The New Yorker's U.S. Open blog.

[via The Sporting Scene]

My friend Goldburn took issue with me calling last night’s loss one of Serena’s worst.

Goldburn: I don't think it was one of the worst losses of her career
me: if you consider henin is (1) a rival and (2) serena unraveled against that rival and lost to her for a 3rd time in a GS this year and (3) you don't put up a fight -- that’s pretty devastating.

(More, if you can bear it, after the jump.)  read more »

Before the last night's match, Justine Henin's coach Carlos Rodriguez said he wanted Henin pressuring Serena.

She did, and it worked: In the match, Henin converted 11 for 14 net chances.

“If I'm too far from my baseline, if I don't move forward, I have no chance to win this kind of match,” said Henin last night.  read more »

Moments after one of the worst losses of her career, Serena Williams walked into the women’s locker room sobbing.

When she met with the press 20 minutes later she was still teary-eyed. And she did not want to talk about her match.

“I really don't feel like talking about it, to be honest,” she said. “It's like I don't want to get fined. That's the only reason I came. I can't afford to pay the fines because I keep losing.”  read more »

In anticipation of tonight’s fantastically wonderful match-up of Serena Williams and Justine Henin, I’m trying something new: live-blogging from Arthur Ashe Stadium. Instant analysis!

If you feel like being a part of this bold venture, chime in in the comments section or get me on AIM at ‘Jets20012.’

8:16: One minute from the first serve and the seats here are barely filled since it took so long to kick people from the day session out. Why do they schedule these matches so poorly?

8:23: Early break! Notoriously slow starter Serena loses the first game on her serve. Think Henin is invested? Pumps her first pretty theatrically in front of Serean's face.

8:30: Monica Seles is here, sitting next to David Dinkins (?!). Also Tony Bennett is here. My friend James' take: "it really is pathetic what passes for celebrity at the open. how long before they cut to rosanna scotto"

Click 'Read More' to follow the live action!  read more »

Justine Henin came off the practice court at 5, some two hours before her much-awaited rematch against Serena Williams tonight.

I caught up with Carlos Rodriguez, her coach, and asked him about the match.

“We come here to play these type of matches,” he said. “It’s exciting and it’s difficult. It's my job to help Justine to do her best in these type of situations.”

How’d she look in practice? “She looked good but practice and the match -- there is no relation. I hope she hits the ball tonight like she hit now.”  read more »

Before the Open began, Serena Williams discussed how eager she was to take on Justine Henin, who she’s lost to at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year:  read more »