Steamed

Overheated Henin-Hardenne raps organizers after win

PARIS (Reuters) -- Justine Henin-Hardenne marked her 21st birthday by getting steamed up on and off court Sunday after losing a set to Swiss Patty Schnyder before reaching the French Open quarterfinals.

The Belgian fourth seed won 6-3 2-6 6-2 and then attacked Roland Garros organizers for refusing to apply the "heat rule," which allows a 10-minute break when temperatures get too hot.

"I've suffered from the heat in the past and I think it's a shame that they refused to apply the heat rule which allows for a 10-minute break after the second set," she said.

"It's a pity because it can lead to injuries," added Henin, in the last eight in Paris for the second time after being a semifinalist two years ago.

Henin, who has beaten the world's leading two players this season -- Serena Williams in Charleston and compatriot Kim Clijsters in Berlin -- said she felt relieved to progress from a very tricky fourth round meeting in 31-degree Celsius heat.

Very tough

"At this stage, I felt that Patty Schnyder was the most dangerous opponent.

"I knew that in this kind of situation, she could be very tough to beat," the Belgian said.

Ranked world No. 9 in 1999, Schnyder has struggled to return to that standard since. She reached the quarterfinals in Paris in 1998.

Henin said she felt a completely different tournament was beginning with the second week.

"Now everybody left in the tournament can go all the way," she said.

"The good thing is that I have not had to draw on my reserves so much in the first week and hopefully the heat should not be so bad next week," she said.

Henin, a Wimbledon finalist two years ago, said her birthday had put extra pressure on her before the match.

"I was a little more stressed than usual in the morning but (her husband) Pierre-Yves (Hardenne) woke up this morning not remembering what day it was and it helped me relax and take it easy.

"But I'm very happy to have won on my 21st birthday," she said.

 

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