By DPA
New York : Justine Henin won the seventh Grand Slam title of her career and second of the season with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Svetlana Kuznetsova to claim the US Open 2007 crown.
The Belgian, who earned a fourth Roland Garros title three months ago, produced a complete performance Saturday to run her career record to 15-2 against new world number two Kuznetsova of Russia.
The efficient victory in front of 23,000 fans avenged Henin’s spring loss on clay in Berlin to 2004 New York winner Kuznetsova.
In the final game, the notorious New York crowd had to get involved, a spectator screaming out as the Belgian tried to serve.
That concentration disruption led to two double-faults before the top seed steadied, escaping after saving two break points and overcoming another double to finally close out the win as Kuznetsova volleyed into the net.
Henin added her second crown at Flushing Meadows without losing a set.
“My title in 2003 was a great memory, and this is even better,” said the winner. “I had two fantastic weeks and played my best tennis.”
The loser had praise for the new champion.
“She played an unbelievable match today,” said Kuznetsova. “I had hoped to do better, but I hope to be back with a better game in the next final.”
Henin became the first woman to beat both Serena and Venus Williams in the same event on the way to a grand Slam title, after back-to-back wins over the American sisters in the quarters and semis.
Former world number one Martina Hingis beat both sisters at the Australian Open in 2001 but ended up losing to American Jennifer Capriati.