Henin the 'female Federer' says Navratilova
Two-time Roland Garros champion Martina Navratilova has called Justin Henin the "Federer of the women’s tour". "On clay, I don’t see anybody beating her," Navratilova said. "Her defence is exceptional, her offence incredible. She improved her serve which gives her free points. She’s the female Federer. She’s just head and shoulders above everybody else. Ivanovic will have nothing to lose. She won’t have any nerves. She’ll have no pressure. She’s just thrilled to be here."
Sandra De Jenken makes history - again
After becoming the first female umpire of a Grand Slam men’s singles final at the Australian Open earlier this year, Sandra De Jenken will make history again when she becomes the first woman in charge of a men’s singles final here at Roland Garros.
Ivanovic shorn of Sven’s services
Ana Ivanovic will have to do without the help of Sven Groenefeld as she gets ready for her first Grand Slam final. The former coach of Nathalie Dechy and Mary Pierce is employed by Ivanovic’s sporting goods sponsor, who also happen to sponsor Justine Henin, and one of the stipulations of the agreement means Groenefeld cannot advise Ana prior to a meeting between the two players. Ivanovic takes a stoical view of the whole affair, however. "Basically I'm on my own. But, yeah, it's been very great having him for a whole week -- for a whole two weeks here. So I learned a lot. So now I can use some of these things for tomorrow.
Mauresmo on the mend
After suffering a slight groin injury last week at Roland Garros, Amelie Mauresmo’s condition is now improving. Her trainer Xavier Moreau says he is more confident about her fitness with only two weeks to go before Wimbledon starts. “Amelie is doing better," said Moreau. "She has resumed her training for the grass court season and she is receiving daily treatment for her groin problems, as she is doing rehabilitation and reinforcement in this area of her body which has a tendency to be a little fragile. I can tell you that she is eager to go to England. Her participation in Eastbourne is not certain yet however. The priority is to have her groin problem completely healed. We should know more on Monday as we are meeting with her doctor for a diagnosis.”
Top seeds prevail in wheelchair tennis
French Tennis Federation President Christian Bîmes, International Tennis Federation President Francesco Ricci Bitti and former Formua 1 driver Philippe Streiff handed out trophies to the winners of the four wheelchair tournaments in a presentation ceremony on court No.7. Top seeds Shingo Kunieda from Korea and Esther Vergeer from the Netherlands won the singles titles, beating Robin Ammerlaan (6-3, 6-4) and Florence Gravellier (6-3, 5-7, 6-2) respectively. France’s Sebastien Houdet and Mickael Jeremiasz and the Dutch pairing of Vergeer and Smit won the men’s and women’s doubles.
