In this case, it also meant, “I’m back!”
Henin took a big step Tuesday in her return from retirement, beating Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round of the French Open 6-4, 6-3. The match was Henin’s first at Roland Garros since 2007, when she won the tournament for the fourth time.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here“I didn’t know really what to expect and how I was going to deal with my emotions,” the Belgian said. “As I walked in and I was into my match, I felt a lot of things were coming back. It was just fantastic to share this again with the crowd, as they gave me one more time great support. So it was very good to be back.”
Henin rejoined the tour in January following a 20-month retirement, and while she’s seeded only 22nd, she’s considered one of the favorites for the title.
“She has all of the chances to win this tournament,” said Pironkova, who had played — and lost to — Henin three times before. “She still plays great. I don’t think she lost (anything) with that rest that she had. I think she is playing even better. She’s faster, and her strokes are more secure.”
Henin endured some ragged moments in the second set, when Pironkova won three consecutive games for a 3-2 lead. Henin swept 10 points in a row to regain control, and following another wobble serving at 4-3, she took the final six points.
“I didn’t serve really good in that match, that’s for sure,” Henin said. “First round is never easy. So I’m just happy I came through.”
Henin hit picturesque backhands, nifty drop shots and booming overhead slams — all staples in a repertoire that has helped her win seven Grand Slam titles. She also missed more than half of her first serves, however, and blew a handful of easy putaways.
“I’ve worked pretty hard in the last few months, but the way is still very long,” she said. “I’m probably less consistent now than I was in terms of keeping the intensity all the time. That’s what I’m working on at the moment.”
French Open
May 23-June 6, ParisRoddick rallies to win 5-setterHenin wins first French Open match since 2007Tennis.com: Rafa will stay step ahead of RogerTennis.com: Henin will defeat both WilliamsesCicma: Nadal will beat Federer to win FrenchCicma: Serena, Henin will battle for titleInteractive: Top men, women to watchFrench Open schedules, scoreboardDespite the inconsistent play, Henin extended her winning streak at Roland Garros to 22 consecutive matches and 37 consecutive sets. She hasn’t lost at the French Open since 2004.
Trying to win the only Grand Slam title missing from her resume, the 12th-seeded Maria Sharapova eliminated 110th-ranked Ksenia Pervak 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday.
Sharapova had won 24 consecutive first-round matches at Grand Slams until being upset at that stage at the Australian Open in January. Now she’s starting a new streak.
Sharapova’s best showing at Roland Garros was the 2007 semifinals. She missed time this season with a right elbow injury, but won a clay-court tuneup at Strasbourg last weekend.
It was the 18-year-old Pervak’s debut in the main draw of a major tournament.
Kimiko Date Krumm also made a successful Roland Garros comeback, beating two-time runner-up Dinara Safina 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. The 39-year-old Date Krumm is the second-oldest woman to win a match in the tournament. She ended a 12-year retirement in 2008, was playing in the French Open for the first time since 1996.
French Open scoreboardMen's, women's singles matches
Seeded women advancing included No. 18 Shahar Peer, No. 21 Vera Zvonareva, No. 23 Daniela Hantuchova and No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. None lost more than six games.
Two U.S. women won — Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jill Craybas. Top-seeded Venus and Serena Williams won their opening doubles match, beating Kirsten Flipkens and Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-0, 6-1.
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