Justine wins French Open

Paris:

Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne won the French Open women's singles title for the second consecutive year on Saturday. Hardenne defeated Russian eighth-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. This is Henin-Hardenne's third French Open title The fifth seed Belgian wrapped up the first set in 50 minutes. Kuznetsova, however, rose to the challenge in the second set breaking Henin-Hardenne in the second game. The defending champion wasn't to be left behind. She ended Kuznetsova's challenge with a service winner on her second match point after 96 minutes. The 24-year-old now joins Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles as the only women to have won back-to-back titles at the claycourt grand slam in the professional era.