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Rivals see Henin as big threat at French Open

TimePublished on Fri, May 09, 2008 at 21:17 in Sports section

SHOT FOR SHOT: Dinara Safina returns the ball during her match against top-ranked Justine Henin at the German Open.

SHOT FOR SHOT: Dinara Safina returns the ball during her match against top-ranked Justine Henin at the German Open.


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Henin reminded Safina of her brother Marat Safin, the two-time Grand Slam winner who has slid out of the Top 10.

"Like my brother, when you have won everything its hard to motivate yourself - I don't think its possible to do that all the time," Safina said. "But Henin is such a great player, things could change very quickly."

Serena believes the week-in, week-out stress of staying on top can be tough. Her eight Grand Slams is one better than Henin, but the American has pursued interests like acting and design outside tennis.

"It's not easy to play the same places, face the same players every week and eat the same food," Serena said. "Me, I'm not tired, I've had a lot of time off and I'm in top shape."

She overpowered the 11th-seeded Radwanska in just 57 minutes.

"I tell myself if I play well, I make it easier on myself," said Serena, chasing a second French Open title after 2002. "I usually beat myself and I'm tired of beating myself."

Serena pointed out Henin has only four losses this year, a record most players would envy. The Belgian also won two titles, although they came before the Australian Open.

Now Henin will review whether she will play Rome next week, or deal in a different way with problems not fixed at one of her favorite tournaments.

"I really wanted to use this tournament to get my confidence back," Henin said. "Now I will have to see."

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