RAFAEL Nadal booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters to spoil British No.1 Andy Murray’s 21st birthday celebrations.

World No.2 Nadal needed just over an hour to see off No.15 seed Murray 6-3 6-2 and set up a quarter-final clash against compatriot Carlos Moya on Saturday (EST).

This was the third time Murray has met - and lost - to Nadal and there was little for the Scotsman to celebrate on his landmark birthday.

“His forehand is incredible on clay, I think it’s one of the best in tennis,'’ said Murray.

“I had my chances against him, but with a guy like that he is virtually unstoppable once he goes on the front foot.'’

With his grandmother watching in the stands - as she did last season when he badly injured his wrist - Murray said he was looking forward to celebrating his birthday with his family.

“But I might try to keep gran away next year, so I might have a chance of winning,'’ he quipped.

Having struggled in his second-round win over Italy’s Potito Starace, Nadal said he was happy with his performance, and the blisters which blighted him last week in Rome have healed.

“My game was 50 percent better, the foot is better, I practiced a lot before this game and it showed,'’ said Nadal.

Defending champion Roger Federer and world No.3 Novak Djokovic are also in the last eight, while Nicolas Kiefer became the first German this century to make the quarter-finals.

Before Kiefer’s third-round upset of No.4 seed Nikolay Davydenko, Tommy Haas at the 1999 tournament had been the last German to achieve the feat.

Kiefer’s 7-5 6-3 win over the Russian means there will be huge support in the Am Rothenbaum stadium for Friday’s quarter-final against Italy’s Andreas Seppi.

Kiefer, 41 in the ATP rankings, came out on top against the world No.4 after one hour and 54 minutes having also beaten last week’s Rome finalist Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round.

Federer won his third-round clash against Sweden’s Robin Soderling 6-3 6-2 in just one hour six minutes.

“I was happy with the match, I controlled things well from the baseline and I feel comfortable here,'’ said Federer, who has won four of the past six tournaments in Hamburg.

“I have been doing well here since 2002, I struggled for a few years before that, but I have had so much success here since then. Germany is similar to Switzerland and it helps to be in familiar surroundings.'’

Having beaten Nadal in last year’s final, Federer will now meet Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in the last eight.

Australian Open winner Djokovic, who set up a quarter-final clash with Spain’s Albert Montanes, is on course to meet Nadal if the pair both make it to Saturday’s semi-finals.

Djokovic had few problems as he saw off Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

“It’s never easy to play Karlovic,'’ said the 20-year-old.

“We all know he has one of the best serves on tour, but I was happy with the way the match went.

“I don’t know much about Montanes, but he must be a quality player if he can get this far in this competition. He has nothing to lose and I will have to be aggressive to get the win.'’

Earlier, seeded pair Argentine Juan Monaco and Spain’s David Ferrer both crashed out.

Italy’s Seppi made the last eight after he removed his second consecutive seed from the draw with a 6-0 6-3 win over 12th seed Monaco.

And No.5 seed Ferrer went out when he was beaten 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 by Verdasco.

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NEW world No.1 Maria Sharapova was made to battle all the way before reaching the Rome International quarter-finals with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory over Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.

Despite being kept on court by a stubborn Dominika Cibulkova for almost three hours until late on Thursday (EST), the Russian still came out with all her fighting spirit under the sun in the Italy capital on Friday (EST).

She edged a combative first set and then needed to dig deep to come back from 5-1 and two breaks of serve down in the second to win five straight games.

However, when needing to serve for the match and despite leading 30-15, mistakes crept into her game and she handed the Dane a break with a double fault.

However she knuckled down to see out the tiebreak, sealing it with a forehand winner down the line.

“Taking away what she was doing on her side of the net, from my point of view I thought there were just a lot of rollercoaster rides,'’ said the No.2 seed.

“I’d put two or three good points together and then the level sort of dropped, but that’s all right.

“The good thing is I got a win and can play another match tomorrow.'’

It was a determined display with plenty of powerful, deep hitting that at times had been lacking against Cibulkova.

It was the second piece of good news for Sharapova on the day as it was also confirmed she would be the new world No.1 following Justine Henin’s retirement when the WTA rankings are released next week.

She next plays No.9 seed Patty Schnyder, who beat No.8 seed Marion Bartoli of France 6-4 4-6 7-6 (9-7) in a marathon battle.

No.3 seed and last year’s runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova was the big casualty of the day as she lost to French qualifier Alize Cornet.

It was a stunning victory for the 18-year-old, who dominated her more illustrious opponent from start to finish in a 6-2 6-4 success and will now play former world No.1 Serena Williams.

The American upset Italian hopes as she moved into the quarter-finals at the expense of home favourite Sara Errani.

The former Wimbledon champion won 6-4 6-3 in a typically dominant performance.

And she said things are looking good for her ahead of the French Open, which starts later this month.

“I’m definitely feeling much fitter than last year or the year before,'’ she said.

“It’s a good feeling, I’ve had enough match play and I’m feeling good.'’

Serena, whose sister Venus tackles Vera Zvonareva in the day’s late match, is looking to earn her second title here having lifted the trophy in 2002, beating Henin in the final.

No.4 seed Serbian Jelena Jankovic made short work of Russian Maria Kirilenko, giving up just two games in a 6-1 6-1 win.

Despite her seemingly easy victory, Jankovic said she had been off colour recently.

“I’ve been sick for a week now and I’ve been struggling a little bit,'’ said the defending champion.

“I have problems breathing. I’m still on antibiotics and trying to recover and get healthy.'’

Cornet put her victory over Kuznetsova down as her greatest yet.

 ”My best performance until now was against (Agnes) Szavay who was ranked 13th. Now it’s against Kuznetsova who is number five (in the world). It’s crazy, I’m really happy,'’ said the teenager, who will play Serena on Saturday (EST).

“After beating Svetlana, why not Serena?'’ said the French girl.

Agence France-Presse

The American joined Jelena Jankovic in the quarter-finals in Rome after the Serbian fourth seed had thrashed Russia’s Maria Kirilenko 6-1 6-1.”I didn’t expect such an easy match,” said Jankovic afterwards. “She’s a very good player.”Maria Sharapova later faces Caroline Wozniacki, with the Russian knowing she will be the world number one next week.
align=”right” /> 606: DEBATE Who will take the title in Rome? The WTA confirmed on Friday that Justine Henin will be removed from the next world rankings on Monday, following the shock announcement of her retirement on Thursday.Swiss ninth seed Patty Schnyder is also into the Rome quarter-finals after recovering from a set down to beat Marion Bartoli of France 4-6 6-4 7-6 (9-7).

RUSSIAN Maria Sharapova will be the new women’s world No.1 when the WTA rankings are released on Tuesday (EST), the WTA said in a statement.

Justine Henin’s decision to retire from professional tennis with immediate effect means she will be removed from the rankings as of next week.

And Sharapova, the current No.2 who is playing at the Rome International, will take over the top spot for the fourth time.

Belgian Henin had spent 117 weeks in total and is the sixth-longest reigning No.1 since the inception of computer rankings in November 1975.

Sharapova will thus commence her 15th week at No.1 having first held the position in August 2005.

The 21-year-old is the only Russian and one of only 16 women to have held the No.1 spot.

She started the season in fine form lifting the Australian Open before also claiming titles in Doha and Amelia Island.

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The winners of the play-off, from 19-21 September, will earn the right to stay in the World Group for 2009.

Great Britain face a play-off after losing 4-1 to Argentina in February in the first round of the world group, while Austria lost 4-1 to the US.

“I firmly believe playing on grass will give us the best opportunity to win the tie,” said GB captain John Lloyd.

He added he was

delighted the tie will take place at such a “fantastic venue” but warned the result was far from a foregone conclusion.

606: DEBATE Can GB beat Austria? “It’s a tough draw but one that we are fully capable of winning,” he said.

“I am sure tennis fans will get behind the team and come along to support the players in our bid to return to the world group in 2009.”

British number one Andy Murray did not play in the defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires but is expected to return for the tie against Austria.

The tie will be only the fifth to be held at Wimbledon in the past 30 years.

The last Davis Cup tie played at the famous grass-court venue was in September 2007, when Great Britain defeated Croatia 4-1.

The Scot will face the world’s best clay-courter at around 1700 BST, and goes into the match with a 0-2 record in head-to-head meetings.

Nadal, 21, has already won clay titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona this year.

“It’ll be a good experience for me, he’s obviously playing unbelievable on clay,” said Murray.

Murray goes into the match having enjoyed a confidence boost with wins over Dimitry Tursunov and Gilles Simon this week.

Nadal remains a strong favourite to take the title but he has complained of a heavy schedule in recent weeks, and suffered with a blister in losing early in Rome last week.

606: DEBATE Nadal will be lucky if he reaches the semi finals, in fact Murray has a real chance to beat him wolfreen “I know he had a few problems with his feet last week so I don’t know if he’s got rid of them yet but if I play like I did (against Simon) I can make a match of it,” said Murray.

“I’m obviously not expected to win but I do feel like I can give him a decent run for his money on the clay.”

Nadal needed more than two hours to beat Potito Starace on Wednesday and admitted he has been at less than 100% fitness.

“I didn’t have much time to practice because of a blister on my foot, so I am reasonably happy to get through,” said the Spaniard.

“I have had two tough games against Andy already and I expect the same.”

Henin won 41 singles titles, including seven Grand Slams, before calling time on her glittering career at the age of just 25 on Wednesday.

“Pound-for-pound, Justine was the best player of her generation,” said King.

Serena Williams, one of Henin’s main rivals, added: “She was a great champion and gave me so much trouble.”

Serena’s sister Venus praised Henin’s character and refusal to accept

defeat.

“She was a great opponent and a real fighter,” she said.

“She always challenged herself to play her best tennis, no matter what the circumstances.

“I don’t know what the details are but if she made that decision it’s probably the best decision for her. My prayers are with her and I hope that she continues to lead the life that’s best for her.”

Henin’s coach Carlos Rodriguez said tennis fans would remember the diminutive Belgian for the way she conducted herself as much as for her triumphs on court.

“Technically and tactically she has it all. But I think she will be remembered for the way in which she won and lost and the way she never gave up no matter what was going on in her life,” said Rodriguez.

606: DEBATE At 25, Henin has shocked us all tom21591 “She never craved fame and money. All she wanted to do was play and win.”

King agreed with Rodriguez’s assessment of Henin’s contribution as an ambassador for the sport.

“I trust she has not come to this decision quickly or easily and I wish her the very best,” added King.

“Justine is an extraordinary player, a special person and a true champion in both tennis and in life.”

World number three Ana Ivanovic, who lost to Henin in the final of last year’s French Open, said the diminutive star brought a style of her own to the sport.

“Tennis loses another champion, she was a great player and she achieved so much,” said Ivanovic.

“She brought a lot to the women’s game.

“Justine had a completely different game to any other girl on the tour probably. She worked really hard and last year she had some amazing results. I’m sorry to hear this.”

Henin is the first woman to walk away from the sport while top of the rankings, while her remarkable 10 titles from 2007 are still fresh in the memory.

Men’s world number one Roger Federer But one title which did elude Henin was Wimbledon and the announcement of her retirement came just two weeks before she was due to defend her French Open crown in Paris.

And the men’s world number one Roger Federer admitted he was surprised at the timing of the announcement.

“It’s obviously a shock for the tennis world,” said Federer.

“It’s a particular surprise before Roland Garros and Wimbledon, which she’s never won.

“It’s quite surprising and unfortunate that she’s out of the game but she will have her reasons.

“She is a special player because she can play on any surface and it’s remarkable that she’s won so many tournaments because she is small and the tall players coming in now have an advantage.

“I couldn’t imagine deciding out of the blue to retire, especially if I was number one.

“I would prefer to take a year off if it was all getting too much for me, rather than saying straight out that I’m not going to go on.”

ROGER Federer and Novak Djokovic both cruised into the third round of the Hamburg Masters Series but it was a struggle for clay-court king Rafael Nadal.

Nadal, No.2 in the world, needed more than two hours to make the last sixteen before he claimed a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over Italy’s Potito Starace.

Having made an early exit in Rome last week, again Nadal did not have things his own way and had to save a set point in the second set before winning the tiebreak.

“I didn’t have much time to practice, because of a blister on my foot, so I am reasonably happy to get through,'’ said Nadal, who plays Britain’s Andy Murray in the next round.

“I have had two tough games against Andy already this year and I expect the same.'’

But No.3 seed and Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who is closing in on Nadal’s world No.2 status, wasted no time in blasting his way past Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3 6-1.

And Swiss master Federer needed less than an hour to see off Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-3. In the 18 sets the pair have now contested, during their nine previous matches, Nieminen has yet to win a single one.

“It was a good performance, I was happy with the way I served from the baseline,'’ said world No.1 Federer, who beat Nadal in last year’s final.

“I have had so much success here, I have a good feeling about the place. When my first point went straight down the line, I thought, ‘This place works well for me’.”

Other seeds fell elsewhere at the Am Rothenbaum stadium on a day of upsets.

No.7 seed James Blake was knocked out 4-6 6-3 6-3 by Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic and 13th-seed Tommy Robredo also crashed out to Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic after losing 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-3).

And Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the 14th seed, made a sharp exit when he went down in straight sets 6-2 7-5 to Sweden’s Robin Soderling.

But former world No.1 Marat Safin continued his comeback with a straight-sets win over No.9 seed Tomas Berdych in the second round.

The Russian is building some momentum having qualified through the main draw and will play Spain’s Carlos Moya in the third round after the Spaniard’s 7-5 6-3 win over Belgium’s Olivier Rochus.

And there were no problems for Murray or Argentina’s Juan Monaco, who enjoyed straight-sets wins to make the third round.

Murray came through 6-3 6-3 against France’s Gilles Simon. Monaco also made it through to the third round after the No.12 seed breezed past Italy’s Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-1.

Local hero Nicolas Kiefer reached the Hamburg third round for the first time since 2001 after he beat World No.10 and last week’s Rome finalist Stanislas Wawrinka 7-5 7-5 on centre court.

Agence France-Presse

Switzerland’s Federer took just 57 minutes to demolish Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, 6-1, 6-3. Spaniard Nadal needed to overcome more opposition before outlasting Potito Starace of Italy, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), in 2:07 hours after saving a set point in the tiebreak. Like all eight top seeds Federer and Nadal had first-round byes in

Hamburg. Federer was ambushed by Czech Radek Stepanek in the Rome quarter- finals last week. Nadal fared even worse, crashing in the second round there against compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero, partly handicapped by a foot blister as he lost for only the second time in 105 matches on clay since 2005. The other loss came against Federer in the 2007 Hamburg decider as the Swiss won his fourth title. Federer returned to the centre court on Wednesday, dropped serve twice early in the second set but responded with four unanswered games to clinch victory on his first match point. Federer had 11 unforced errors to Nieminen’s 22. ‘It was a good performance,’ said Federer after stretching his record against Nieminen to 9-0 without dropping a set. ‘I have had so much success here. I knew immediately that this would work for me (again).’ Nadal had some early hiccups as he trailed the 47th-ranked Starace, but four games in a row from 3-1 down to 5-3 eventually gave him the first set. Starace continued to torment Nadal in the second set and even had a set point at 6-5 in the tiebreak. But he then double-faulted and hit an easy forehand into the net to give Nadal match point which the Spaniard accepted with a forehand winner. Nadal had 20 unforced errors while Starace piled up 42. Nadal needs a good performance in Hamburg as according to new ATP calculations from Wednesday is under threat from Serb Novak Djokovic. The Rome champion was due to open against Juan Ignacio Chela later Wednesday. The beaten Rome finalist Stanislas Wawrinka crashed out, the Swiss losing against 43rd-ranked local player Nicolas Kiefer, 7-5, 7-5. Kiefer saved two set points in 10th game of the second set en route to victory in 2 hours 22 minutes. Earlier, Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia accounted for seventh seed James Blake of the US, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Former world number one Marat Safin of Russia defeated ninth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych, 7-5, 6-4. The 13th seed Tommy Robredo of Spain lost 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) against Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic, and 14th-seeded Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France was beaten by Sweden’s Robin Soderling, 6-2, 7-5. But number 11 Carlos Moya defeated Belgian Oliver Rochus, 7-5, 6- 3, 12 seed Juan Monaco of Argentina ousted Simone Bolelli of Italy, 6-2, 6-1, and British number 15 Andy Murray prevailed 6-3, 6-3 over France’s Gilles Simon. © Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Ivanovic, who became top seed when Justine Henin pulled out, was never comfortable on the clay and committed 59 unforced errors to Pironkova’s 26.The Serb twice surrendered a break advantage in the second set.”I really struggled with my intensity today, and that obviously caused a lot of errors,” she said.Last week Ivanovic lost to Elena Dementieva in the semi-finals of the German Open, but Pironkova, who beat Venus

Williams at the 2006 Australian Open, ensured an earlier finish for her this week.The Williams sisters both progressed on Wednesday, fifth seed Serena thrashing Alona Bondarenko 6-2 6-0 and Venus, on her return from a month out injured, overcoming Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-1.Venus had been out for a month with an unspecified medical problem, which she would still not discuss in detail.Defending champion Jelena Jankovic beat Flavia Pennetta 6-1 6-4, in the Italian’s second match of the day, after she had earlier beaten Olga Savchuk in three sets.

THE world’s top women tennis players paid tribute to, and expressed support for, Justine Henin after her shock retirement announcement.

Most of the rest of the top 10 are playing in Rome in their last warm-up tournament before the French Open begins later this month.

Henin’s retirement came just a year after her Belgian compatriot Kim Clijsters also quit the game while still at the top.

The difference with Henin, though, is that she is coming off the back of her best season last year, she was still well clear as the No.1player in the world and she wasn’t currently injured.

One of her greatest rivals over the last few years, Serena Williams, described the little Belgian as a champion.

“She’s a great champion who gave me a world of trouble so I hope the best for her. She had a great year last year,'’ she said.

“What can you say about such a champion? I don’t think we have enough time.'’

Serena edged their head-to-head-record 7-6 courtesy of a 6-2 6-0 thrashing of Henin in Miami earlier this year and she said the match between the pair that most stood out for her was at that same venue.

“Miami last year was such a hard-fought match, and I was so glad to win,'’ added Serena.

She had dropped the first set of their quarter-final clash 6-0 but came back to win the next two 7-5 6-3 before going on to lift the title.

Serena’s sister Venus also enjoyed an impressive winning record against Henin, leading their series 7-2, although she lost the only match they played since the 2003 Australian Open.

Venus expressed sympathy for Henin.

“If she made that decision then it’s probably the best decision for her,'’ she said.

“Of course my prayers are with her so that way she can continue to lead the life that’s best for her.

“I think she was a great opponent. She always challenged herself to play her best tennis no matter what the circumstances.

“She was a real fighter so I think that’s what made her the best.'’

World No.3 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, who will move up to No.2 after Henin’s retirement, said the news had taken her by surprise but didn’t change anything for her personally.

“Definitely the news was very surprising but my goals haven’t changed,'’ she said.

“I still have to work hard. Henin was a tough one to get past (in the rankings).

“She was another champion, a great player who achieved so much and brought a lot to women’s tennis. She had a completely different game to the other women. Last year she had great results.

“I’m sorry to hear this but it’s her own decision and feeling if she’s happy with her career and what she achieved.

“She won grand slams and was No.1 so she had a successful career.'’

Men’s world No.1 Roger Federer also paid tribute to Henin.

“I have only just heard, but it is a shock for the tennis world, especially as she is No.1 at the moment,'’ said 26-year-old Federer.

“I am sure she has her reasons, but it’s particularly surprising as it’s only a few weeks before Roland Garros, where she has had so much success, and Wimbledon is later this summer, which she has never won.

“It’s, of course, a shame she is out of the game. She is a special player, she can play on any surface, which is unusual in the women’s game.

“And it’s remarkable that she has won so many tournaments because she is small and all the newcomers in the womens game are tall, which gives them an advantage.

“I couldn’t imagine deciding out of the blue to retire, especially if I was No.1. She has had a couple of injuries and there is this history with her ex-husband. It might be all in all too much for her and she might not want to be on the tour anymore.'’

Henin won seven grand slams and 41 singles titles and finished the year as No.1in the world three times, in 2003, 2006 and 2007.

Last season was her greatest yet as she won 10 of 14 tournaments she entered while the year before she reached all four grand slam finals, although winning only at Roland Garros.

Agence France-Presse

World Tennis number one player Belgian Justine Henin and her longtime coach Carlos Rodriguez (R) at the end of her news conference where she announced her retirement with immediate effect at Limelette in Brussels, Belgium on 14 May 2008. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLETNamed the women’s version

of men’s star Roger Federer by the likes of John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova, Henin quit the game as the world number one which could be unprecedented in the game. Retirement came just just one year after compatriot Kim Clijsters decided to hang up the racket because she felt worn out after many years on the tour despite a young age of 23 at the time. Henin is only marginally older at 25, but the sport has also taken a toll on her. Like Clijsters, she was plagued by injuries, and like the rival she also believed there was more to life than to chase a tennis ball day in and day out. Henin was the more successful of the two, winning 41 career career titles including seven Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold 2004 and three straight season-ending championship crowns. The Slams include four French Open trophies, a tournament that was always special for Henin. It was her late mother Francoise who frequently took her to Roland Garros and Henin reportedly told her after watching the 1992 final between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles that ‘one day I will play here and win.’ Her mother died when Justine was 12 and could not witness her career. Henin was one of very few players who won on her first WTA showing, in Antwerp 1999. The first French Open title came 2003. The family became estranged when Henin married Belgian tennis teacher Pierre-Yves Hardenne in 2002. The two then separated in 2007 and that not only eventually reunited her with the family but also seemed to further strengthen her dominance. Henin won a career-best nine titles in 2007 and went undefeated in the second half of the year. The opposition wondered how to stop Henin, who despite her small size could serve huge and play aggressive. Her main weapon was a strong one-fisted backhand. ‘You see her play and you are not impressed. She doesn’t have any huge shots. But she doesn’t let you play. She is so strong mentally and physically. You feel under stress all the time,’ said French player Tatiana Golovin. Henin said she was now ’smarter on my calendar’ by playing less matches, but she was unable to continue her success this year. She won just two titles early in the year (Sydney and Antwerp) and spoke about retirement without giving a date only last week after losing to Russia’s Dinara Safina in Berlin, saying she wanted to travel and possibly study. ‘I’m young in life, but starting to get old on the tour. I’m growing up and I need different things. Now I’ve been playing tennis for 20 years and it’s been my whole life but as a woman, as you get older, you need to think about the future,’ she said. © Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Justine Henin of Belgium reaches for a forehand return to Venus Williams of the US during their semifinal match on the twelfth day of the 2007 US Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 07 September 2007. Henin, winner of 7 grand slam titles, announced her immediate retirement 14 May 2008. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLOThe 25-year-old told at a

news conference at Limelette, south of Brussels, said she had taken the decision after a great deal of thought. ‘I started thinking about it late last year. I was at the end of the road. I leave with my head held high,’ she said. Henin, who has dominated women’s tennis for the past two years, said it was ‘the end of a child’s dream.’ ‘This is a definitive decision. Those who know me know it is serious,’ she added. Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour, said it was ‘a sad day for our sport and for her millions of fans around the world.’ Henin had withdrawn from this week’s Italian Open, citing fatigue. The decision comes less than two weeks before the French Open, a tournament she has won four times including the last three. She is the winner of seven Grand Slam titles - including two US Opens and one Australian Open - 41 career titles and the 2004 Olympic gold. But this year had seen disappointing defeats at the quarter-final stages of the Australian Open to winner Maria Sharapova of Russia and in Miami to Serena Williams of the United States. Last week after elimination in the last 16 of the German Open in Berlin, she had spoke of the possibility of quitting. Retirement has now come just just one year after compatriot Kim Clijsters decided to hang up the racket at 23 because she felt worn out after many years on the tour. Like Clijsters, Henin has been plagued by injuries, and like the rival she also believed there was more to life than tennis. Henin won a career-best nine titles in 2007 and went undefeated in the second half of the year. She won just two titles early in the year (Sydney and Antwerp), and after losing to Russia’s Dinara Safina in Berlin last week said she wanted to travel and possibly study. ‘I’m young in life, but starting to get old on the tour. I’m growing up and I need different things,’ she had said in Berlin. ‘Now I’ve been playing tennis for 20 years and it’s been my whole life but as a woman, as you get older, you need to think about the future.’ WTA chief Scott said Henin would be remembered ‘as one of the all-time great champions in women’s tennis.’ He said Henin was a woman who made up for her lack of size with a will to win and fighting spirit that was second to none. ‘It is rare that an athlete leaves at the very top of her game in this day and age, but Justine has always played by her own rules, in the very best sense of those words,’ he said. © Deutsche Presse-Agentur

It is for that reason that Wednesday’s announcement comes as a considerable shock.

True, she has had a pretty average season so far, winning only two titles and suffering heavy defeats to rivals Maria Sharapova (6-4 6-0, Australian Open) and Serena Williams (6-2 6-0, Miami).

Billie-Jean King

But that run came off the back of a quite phenomenal 2007, in which she won two Grand Slams including her third straight French Open title, triumphed at eight other tournaments, and won 63 of 67 matches - a mind-boggling success percentage of 94.

She was the Roger Federer of women’s tennis. In December, she was at her peak, beating Sharapova to capture the year-end championships and becoming the first player since 1997 to win 10 titles in a season. She was also the first player in history to win over US$5m in a season.

It was also a remarkable year in Henin’s personal life.

In January, she pulled out of the Australian Open for personal reasons, later revealing that she had split from her husband of four years, Pierre-Yves Hardenne. Reports suggested Hardenne felt uncomfortable with his role - or lack of it - within his wife’s entourage.

Henin never revealed the reasons behind the split, just as she has never explained why she became estranged from her father and brothers following the death of her mother when she was 12.

But by the French Open last year, the family were reconciled following a near-fatal car accident involving her brother David, and Henin was able to share her historic title win with them.

“It’s been a huge step in my life,” she said. “I’m glad I gave them this victory because everyone suffered from the situation in the last few years. Finally, we are united in joy, and we can share this moment. I feel so happy.”

Henin’s backhand is one of the best the game has seen

Henin had long suffered in comparison with her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, who was 24 when she retired last year with one Grand Slam title to her name.

Clijsters was bubbly and open, Henin was intensely private. Clijsters was hugely popular among her fellow players, Henin kept herself to herself, preferring the company of her coaching team.

But the sight of Henin sharing an emotional victory with her family cast her in a different light and seemed to change attitudes.

Women’s tennis pioneer Billie Jean King was always at a loss as to why Henin did not earn more respect.

“I don’t know why we’re not talking about Justine Henin all the time because, for her size, she’s the greatest athlete we’ve ever seen.

“I don’t know why she’s not more appreciated - she’s not cutesie-wootsie, but the way she has evolved as a tennis player is unbelievable.”

Standing at only 5ft 5ins - with most of her 6ft-plus rivals towering above her - Henin had to work hard to develop a serve which would compliment a brutal forehand and a backhand John McEnroe describes as the best the men’s or women’s game has seen.

She suffered her fair share of injuries, as well as a debilitating illness affecting her immune system which she contracted in 2004 and which continues to affect her from time to time.

606: DEBATE I didn’t expect this. A sad day for women’s tennis… martinsaaan

The constant battle to stay fit has undoubtedly contributed to her decision to retire. She first picked up a racquet when she was two and turned pro in 1999 when she was 16. This was her 10th year on a tour which has placed increasingly heavy demands on its participants.

Late last year, she told the BBC’s Inside Sport programme: “I’m doing this because I love the competition, I love to push my limits, trying to be a better player.

“But my friends aren’t on this tour. I’m very focused on myself. I don’t think about the other players except that I have a lot of respect for them.”

Her announcement on Wednesday - less than two weeks before the start of her favourite Grand Slam where she would have been favourite to win for the fourth year running - leaves more questions than answers.

But following a year in which she completely dominated the women’s game and made peace with her family, perhaps Henin - like Clijsters before her - no longer wants to lead the lonely, and often gruelling, life of a tennis pro.

She will be missed - not least for that dazzling backhand.

BULGARIAN qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova stunned No.1 seed Ana Ivanovic in the Rome second round, beating the Serbian 6-4 5-7 6-2.

World No.3 Ivanovic struggled throughout with her fellow 20-year-old’s deep and powerful hitting.

The Serbian never looked comfortable on the clay surface against her 64th-ranked opponent, whom she had struggled to beat in three sets in their only previous meeting, five years ago on the clay in Bucharest.

“I had only one victory over a top 10 player which was Venus Williams two years ago,'’ said the victor.

“This is my second victory against a top 10, so it’s one of the best games I ever played.

“I felt today that she wasn’t very sure with her game. I wanted to put the ball deep in the court and I did a good job with that.'’

Ivanovic was particularly out of sorts in the first set and found herself serving at 2-5, 0-40 at one point.

She rallied to save five set points over the next two games but eventually succumbed 6-4 as she made a poor approach shot and was easily passed with a backhand down the line as she was stranded in no man’s land.

The Serb went a break up in the second but was broken back and at 3-3 she failed to take any of five more break points.

She finally broke again for 6-5 on a wild error from the Bulgarian and two more errors from Pironkova gave Ivanovic the set in the next game.

But the third set was one-way traffic and Pironkova claimed the biggest win of her career on her second match point.

Her previous best victory was against the then world No.10 Venus Williams at the 2006 Australian Open.

 Ivanovic admitted she had simply been off the her game.

“I definitely made a lot of unforced errors off both sides. It felt tough, it was quite hard out there,'’ she said.

“I struggled to find my rhythm or find something inside to fight. I struggled to find my intensity today.

“I felt coming into this tournament that I was in good shape, I was working hard and doing well so I’m very disappointed. I really didn’t play that well today.'’

Wimbledon champion Williams had no such difficulties in her second-round clash against Australian Samantha Stosur, despite seemingly hurting her side.

The No.7 seed won 6-4 6-1 and will play Russian Vera Zvonareva, who struggled through 7-5 4-6 7-5 against Iveta Benesova, in the third round.

Williams was never seriously in trouble and took total control in the second set, sealing it with an ace.

Her sister Serena, the No.5 seed, had an even easier time of things and blitzed Ukrainian doubles specialist Alona Bondarenko 6-2 6-0.

With Justine Henin having retired and top seed Ivanovic out, the draw is set up for a possible all-Williams final, but Serena didn’t want to think about anyone else.

“Ivanovic was beaten today but she’s not my concern, my only concern is me,'’ said the American.

“I love her, she’s a great player but my focus is on me.'’

Agence France-Presse