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 WTA TOUR 2003
Picture Henin-Hardenne - US Open champion (Getty Images).

US GLORY FOR HENIN-HARDENNE Click here for blow-by-blow report
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Justine Henin-Hardenne beat Kim Clijsters in a one-sided US Open final to claim her second Grand Slam title of the year.

Henin-Hardenne, who already had the French Open crown in the bag, triumphed 7-5 6-1 and was a comprehensive winner on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Once again, world number one Clijsters failed on the big stage, producing too many errors throughout the match.

With Henin-Hardenne having endured a three-hour semi-final against Jennifer Capriati on Friday night - a match that ended with her being put on a drip due to dehydration - Clijsters began as the favourite but could not cope with Henin-Hardenne's accuracy.

Clijsters was left to reflect on two missed set points at 5-4 in the opening set. They proved to be the turning point.

As in the French Open final against the same opponent, Clijsters made a poor start was was broken twice to fall 0-3 down.

However, she seemed to get back on course when levelling at 4-4 and then moving ahead for the first time.

Then came those set points on Henin-Hardenne's serve, but the 21-year-old served well to save both.

Clijsters was not to get another chance.

Henin-Hardenne held, broke Clijsters again when the errors returned to her opponent's racquet in game 11 and then took the set 7-5.

The tone had been set and the start of the second set brought no respite for Clijsters.

When Henin-Hardenne moved 4-0 up she had won seven straight games.

Clijsters' forehand was well and truly broken - her total unforced error count was to hit 40 - and although she did stop the rot to cut the deficit to 4-1, the writing was on the wall.

Henin-Hardenne clinched victory with a perfect drive volley on her first match point, wrapping up victory in just 81 minutes.

Afterwards Henin-Hardenne told the crowd: "The match against Jennifer was a real battle and I wasn't sure how I would feel out here today.

"But I felt OK once the match started and I'd just like to thank everyone for making this such a memorable two weeks."

Clijsters, who had reached the final without losing a set but is still without a Grand Slam win, added: "Justine just played a great match and she was too good.

"I felt really comfortable out there but just had no answer to her."

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