After the Belgian's easy third French title in succession, Sportingo's ORI LEWIS poses the question: Isn't it time for women to play five sets? It was a greatly disappointing end to a good, but not memorable women's French Open this year. Justine Henin justified her billing as the favourite for the title, but the manner in which she claimed the trophy surely took even her by surprise. The 6-1 6-2 victory over young Serbian Ana Ivanovic was far too easy, and the organisers should surely not be surprised if specators ask for some of their money back -- certainly they didn't get value for their well-earned euros. Perhaps it's another good reason to consider having the women play best-of-five in the Slams, but more of that another time. Ivanovic, normally a big server, promised much at the outset when she elected to receive, broke her Belgian opponent and led 40-0 in the following game, but that was where her attempt at stopping Henin from winning a third consecutive title ended. Henin rattled off the next six games to win the set as Ivanovic began to make error after error. The match was as good as over once Henin had pocketed the first set with almost no resistance at all and the two games which Ivanovic picked up in the second set were no more than a cosmetic patch-up for the record books which in years to come may give an impression, albeit false, that she put up some kind of resistance. Well, we should all make a mental note that there was only one player in this final and Justine Henin was a very worthy winner, even if she didn't have to fight. At only 19, one feels that Ivanovic's days as a Grand Slam winner are not too far away. It would be a pity if somebody as gregarious as her did not win a "big one" some day, but in the meantime she can put this loss down to experience and know that her own enchanting smile will, in all likelihood, be reciprocated by one from the gods.
