US Open 2007

US Open, Flushing Meadows

Fourth round result:

J HENIN (Bel) * v D SAFINA (Rus)

6-0 6-2

* denotes server

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By Caroline Cheese

Henin 6-0 6-2 Safina
Safina comes up with a lovely backhand pass on the run to save one match point but Henin takes the second to complete an embarrassingly one-sided one. Serena might just provide a tougher test in the qaurter-finals.

Henin 6-0 5-2 Safina
No is the answer to that last question. This really has been a cakewalk for Henin - who claims she doesn't like playing under the lights. Maybe that's why she's in such a hurry.

Henin 6-0 4-2 Safina
Another ovation for Safina as she breaks serve for the second time. Four breaks in a row now in total. Henin is surely just taking it easy though. Now, can Safina hold serve for the first time?

Henin 6-0 4-1 Safina
Safina saves two break points then double-faults on the third. She thumps her racquet into the court in the style of her brother. She can't even get that right, though. The racquet survives unscathed.

Henin 6-0 3-1 Safina
No double bagel then. Safina produced a miraculous forehand pass on the scramble to seal the game and gets a standing ovation for her efforts. Here comes the comeback...

Henin 6-0 3-0 Safina
This is a masterclass. Safina is hitting the ball a lot better but Henin is equal to it. At 30-0 down, Safina plays the perfect point, powering a forehand onto the baseline before getting to the net but Henin comes up with a fabulous defensive backhand and Safina puts a half-volley wide.

Henin 6-0 2-0 Safina
A bit better from Safina but just as she opens up a 30-15 lead, she throws in yet another error. Will the Russian win a game? It doesn't look promising.

Henin 6-0 1-0 Safina
I can hardly believe my eyes but Safina has an actual game point. Of course she doesn't win it. Three straight errors and the game is Henin's.

0053: "How are you doing today Caroline? I'm a little bored this evening. Your words are the only company I have tonight."
Chris in London via text on 81111 (I'm good... although now slightly perturbed by Chris's text)

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First set

Henin 6-0 Safina
Safina does win two points in this game - thanks to rare Henin errors - but it's a very small mercy. The top seed pockets the first set in 22 minutes. It can only get better.

0050: Henin needs a tough match so she can warm up for Serena but it doesn't look like she is going to get one."
Karan in London via text on 81111

Henin 5-0 Safina
Safina shouts something in Russian - "get me out of here" perhaps? A double-fault gives Henin a third break and it's officially embarrassing. A fourth-round match given top billing in the night session and Henin will be out of here in half an hour the way this is going.

Henin 4-0 Safina
Plenty of desparate groaning from Safina as she tries to work her way into the match but everything's going against her at the moment. Henin's on fire and as Ellis (see below) so rightly said, Safina hardly relishes the big occasion.

0042: "Dinara has no big-match bottle you may as well prepare the ovaltine now."
Ellis in London via text on 81111

Henin 3-0 Safina
Henin breaks again. Looks like we could be in for a Serena v Henin quarter-final and that should be an absolute cracker.

Henin 2-0 Safina
Well, Chris is clearly no Mystic Meg - but it could well be over before 0130. Henin holds easily.

0035: "Good morning to you. Here's my prediction: Saffy will break early, get all excited, then Justine will rout it. Be over by 1:30 and I can go to sleep."
Chris London via text on 81111

Henin 1-0 Safina
Catastrophic start for Safina. Double-fault on the first point, a volley into the net... Henin just keeps her groundstrokes deep and gets the break first up.

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0028: The umpire tells us this will be the best of three sets... thanks for that. Safina wins the toss and she'll serve first.

0025: Henin and Safina are out on court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. If any of you are still awake, please feel free to drop me a text on 81111. In contrast to last night, I'm feeling demob happy. This is my last night-shift (until Wednesday).