Henin wins French Open

The top seeded Henin, who claimed her fourth French Open crown and sixth grand slam trophy, becomes the first women to win three straight at Roland Garros since Monica Seles beat Stefi Graff in 1992 to win her third successive French crown.

Former top-ranked Frenchwoman Mary Pierce, who lost the title to Henin in the 2005 final, handed the world number one her fourth Suzanne Lenglen trophy in a ceremony on centre court after the match.

"When I was a little girl, I never thought I could experience this here on this centre court in Paris," Henin said, describing the win as surreal.

After Ivanovic took a shocking opening break with some wonderful winners, the 19-year-old fell apart entirely failing to hold serve until the third game of the second set and committing 31 unforced errors.

Henin was her usual dominant self from the second game onwards, needing just one hour and five minutes to collect her prize with a 17th consecutive straight sets win at Roland Garros.

The day got off to a surprising start when Henin handed Ivanovic two early break chances allowing the young Serbian to impose in the early going with her big forehand.

Henin saved both, but then was pressed into committing an error that handed the teenager a third chance, with the world number one abdicating the first game on a double-fault.

An enthused Ivanovic then surged ahead 40-love on her serve before dropping three straight points to the Belgian and ultimately surrendering the break right back to deuce after Henin nicked the top of the net and watched the ball bounce gently onto the Serbian's side of the court.

"I started okay and in that game I started getting nervous, and my ball toss was going everywhere and I really couldn't control my serve," Ivanovic said of the second game after the match.

Despite staying in several long points with the world number one and hitting some gorgeous winners, Ivanovic was unable to hold serve in the first set handing the Belgian two more breaks with a critical double-fault and repeated unforced errors.

Henin claimed another easy hold to 15 as Ivanovic handed the Belgian the first set 6-1 on a platter in just 34 minutes.

The second set started in much the same way as the first had finished, with Ivanovic gifting the Belgian a break advantage with a double fault and the world number one confirming with an easy service hold.

Looking at the prospects of a virtual walkover, the crowd rallied behind the Serbian teenager, who felt the support and claimed her first service hold of the match with a love-service game,

Things did not get any easier for the youngster, however, as Ivanovic handed Henin two chances to break on her next service game with a pair of unforced errors and a double-fault.

Ivanovic saved the first after what looked liked a double-fault was called in allowing the Serbian to eventually win the contentious point, but she couldn't save a second after being pressed into the error.

Henin again held easily after an imposing smash at the net, and again the crowd attempted to boost Ivanovic as she served to stay in the match.

Inspired by the audience, Ivanovic produced her second hold to love as the crowd chanted her name, but it was far too little, far too late.

Henin easily set up three straight match points after hitting an ace in the corner that was originally ruled out, but overturned by umpire Kader Nouni with the agreement of Ivanovic.

The world number one needed only one of the three, forcing Ivanovic into the far corner of the court then taking an easy volley winner at the net before tossing her racket in the air victoriously.

- Jeremy Stahl in Paris