Super Shara takes title
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ByEurosport
Published 10/09/2006 at 00:04 GMT
Maria Sharapova ended a two-year wait for a second Grand Slam title as she beat Justin Henin-Hardenne 6-4 6-4 to claim the women's title at the US Open on Saturday night. The 19-year-old Russian beat the 2003 champion in just over an hour-and-a-half to ad
2006, Maria Sharapova, US Open, celeb
Image credit: Imago
It was a superb all-round performance from the third seed, who celebrated the victory by jumping in to the crowd to embrace her father and coach in the players' enclosure.
The pair exchanged early breaks in the first set before settling down in to their serves.
However, Sharapova took advantage of three groundstroke errors from her opponent to break at 5-4 before holding to 30 to serve out the first set.
The second set was much closer, but it was the young Russian - enjoying the lion's share of the support from the New York crowd - who looked the more aggressive and adventurous.
Indeed, despite occasionally looking uncomfortable when she got there, Sharapova was even showing a willingness to get in to the net - especially on her opponent's serve - to try and mix things up and surprise Henin-Hardenne.
They were thoughtful and mature tactics, especially from a player whose game has previously been built around simply blasting her opponents off court.
Another break at a decisive moment gave her the advantage in the second set, although Henin-Hardenne did show some character to force Sharapova to serve for the match.
And despite losing the first point, Sharapova returned to her thundering forehand to close out the match.
The 24-year-old Henin-Hardenne reached all four 2006 grand slam finals but registered victory in only the French Open.
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