Henin vs Sharapova | 2010 Highlights

Highlights from their third round match.

[pueraeternus]

Justine was tiny, yet she played like a giant! Her technique was impeccable. She had it all! And that backhand of hers was everything.

[cobra]

Women's tennis could really use a player like Henin right now. The one handed backhand, the shot-making and the variety that she displayed in her game was beautiful to watch.

[paoloverlengia]

what a show! I've never seen a player like henin in women tennis, such a pure touch, probably only Qeeen Navratilova. Justine, I miss you so much!!

[SharapovaFan]

I remember watching this match live many years ago. I thought I was in an alternate dimension where Sharapova suddenly became a threat on clay. She used to be terrible on clay, particularly her movement. But she's learned to make use of clay's slowness to temper and control her aggression. She learned to construct points far better, improve her defensive capabilities (including learning to slide on clay), take balls earlier when the opportunity arises, add disruptive shots to change the pace and rhythm, etc. Clay has long exposed the weaknesses in Sharapova's ultra-aggressive, first-strike tennis. Instead of resigning herself to living with these weaknesses, she's worked hard to making minute changes in her game to turn these weaknesses into strengths. Despite her one-dimensional game, her work ethic and approach is anything but. This is why I've always admired Sharapova as a player -- and it's why she's quite successful despite being naturally less talented than many of her peers.

Other players such as Caroline Wozniacki have also made significant changes to their game in the past several years which has made them even more successful. Contrast that to players like Radwanska who never had the audacity to make the necessary changes to their game.

[PRANAV]

That single handed backhand from amazing

[Cla_Disney]

My all time favourite female tennis player, Justine Henin. Such a talented woman, I never really understood how she could generate such incredible power being 167cm - 57kg. Simply amazing to watch her play. Miss her so much in nowadays tennis, nobody has a similar style, she was one of a kind.

[thoukisth]

Just love Henins tennis ... the serve, the forehand, the amazing backhand ... her tennis skills for me were the best of the last 20 years - they just don't make them like that anymore

[multiplemike]

This RG '10 3rd round with Henin is a very important match in Maria Sharapova's career. It often gets overlooked in a lot of journalists minds when they discuss Maria's career up to this point. But ironically, it was after this loss that Sharapova said she realized that she could win the French Open. She had taken one of the best clay courters of all time to three sets on what was still perceived as her least favorite surface at this time. Despite the outcome, it was because of this match that she gained confidence on clay. And not long after 2010, Maria would put together one of most miraculous career transformations over the next 4 years. Since 2012, she has recorded a 63-6 mark on clay, that is remarkable. And it could see her hold the coupe de Suzanne Lenglen for a third time on June 6th. 

Many champions have what I like to call "harbinger matches" where they show a preview of future success to the world. For Federer it was his 2001 4R at Wimbledon with Pete Sampras. For John McEnroe it was losing to Jimmy Connors in the Wimbledon semis of '77. For Maria Sharapova, I feel that it was really this match that started her on the path to becoming a clay court specialist. And this match could take on even more significance depending on Maria's success on clay at the end of her career. We will see. Either way, it stands out in my mind as one of her most important matches.

[blogginsriverbymnlisabop]

Justine was a total badass. The pace she generates on her shots is amazing. I always wished Hingis had that kind of power.

[svichky]

sharapova hit many top spins, varied angles, changed pace, even served and volleyed, and yet people again and again say that she is one dimensional player?
well, at core yes. she is a power player, everything in her game revolves around power and hardcore baseline hitting. that does not diminish her skills or talent. actually, my opinion is that there are very few one dimensional players, cause in bigger or smaller measure they all possess variety, just like serena's game is based on her serve and power, henin's on retrieving, that backhand and slices, davenport's on her serve and big baseline game, kim's on covering the court and her forehand, hingis' on net play, changing the pace and anticipating etc...every player has a multitude of different elements in their game, it's just that they base their whole identity as a tennis player on certain aspects in which they excell.

[laprimaverrra]

What a spectacular level of tennis from both! I think nobody elevated Masha's game quite like Justine, not even Serena Williams. Henin just turned the intensity all the way up, and Sharapova had no choice but to keep up and adapt. Love their matches!

[_waaavey]

THIS is why I love Maria - 100% grit, fight, resolve. No one can deny the girl has guts the size of her lungs :)

[Luca]

Henin was one of the best female clay-court players of all time. Imagine Henin and Nadal playing mixed doubles together at the French Open

[greenpeace]

Henin’s techniques should be displayed at museum.

[AshutoshSingh-spjq]

People have forever talked about Justine's single handed backhand to have been the most beautiful shot of all time in women's tennis. Agreed, that shot can or never will be replicated again. It was similarly on par with Amelie Mauresmo. But for me personally, as a Henin fan, I think her forehand was her most underrated shot. Because that shot had gotten her out of tough matches, when one fails to acknowledge it. Her and Hingis, should be given their due legacy specially with their prowess on clay.

[JamieLOwen]

This match gave Maria the belief that she could actually win Roland Garros lol. Losing isn't always bad when you take something from it and Maria being the champion that she is definitely There have been 4 Roland Garros's since and Maria's record is 2011 SF, 2012 Win, 2013 Final, 2014 Win. Impressive! Merci Justine? lol

[regenemakiramdam]

Justine's one-handed backhand is always a pleasure to watch.

[ema_scrambling]

Justine, the greatest player of all time. The most beautiful tennis ever. I miss you so much. Allez!

[mirnesnuhanovic]

Henin was amazing player. Woman tennis does not have such a good player today.

[yussepig]

Top class match. That game at 2-0 in the final set sealed it. If Sharapova won that game for 3-0 it would be all over but Justine showed true grit.