Clijsters slams Henin-Hardenne in all-Belgian final
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-22 09:02

TORONTO, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Kim Clijsters continued her torrid streak on Sunday, capturing the $1.3 million Rogers Cup with a convincing 7-5 6-1 victory over fellow Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final.

It was the second straight tournament win for Clijsters, who has a WTA-leading six titles to her credit this year, and her fifth hardcourt championship success of the season.

"I was seeing the ball really well today," said Clijsters, one of the favorites for the U.S. Open starting on August 29.

"I knew I needed to be aggressive. There was a lot of wind out there, they were not easy conditions."

Erratic Henin-Hardenne hit several balls wide and some into the crowd in the first set, having trouble controlling her shots in the conditions.

The second set belonged to Clijsters, who took a 3-1 lead when Henin-Hardenne double-faulted on break point and did not lose another game from that point.

"I have been getting stronger as the tournament went on and I felt good today in the second set again," Clijsters said.

The final took just one hour and 10 minutes and Clijsters's total match time was just over four hours for the entire week, thanks to three easy wins and a walk-over.

Both women were encouraged by the Belgian flags in the crowd for the all-Belgium final.

"I think I can speak for Justine, too," Clijsters said. "No matter where we go there is always a lot of Belgian flags in the crowd supporting us."

Henin-Hardenne lost for just the third time in her last 32 matches. The 2005 French Open winner just could not get her game in gear after a tough semi-final match in which she defeated France's Amelie Mauresmo in three sets.

"Kim was just better today," Henin-Hardenne said. "It was difficult for me after such a tough match in the semi-final."

The final was a somewhat anti-climatic end to the tournament from which five of the top eight seeded players withdrew, including Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.

Fans at the Rexall Centre cheered wildly in a thrilling women's doubles final when 48-year-old Martina Navratilova and Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany rallied to defeat Spaniards Conchita Martinez and Virginia Ruano Pascual 5-7 6-3 6-4.

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