The top players in professional tennis have risen to the top at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California.
World number one Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Tim Henman of Britain, 6-3, 6-3, in the men's final Sunday. Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium, top ranked in the world among the women, scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory over American Lindsay Davenport.
Federer beat Henman for just the second time in eight meetings. Federer's only loss in his last 28 matches was to Henman earlier this year in Rotterdam. Federer was virtually error-free against Henman, with the Swiss star making only five unforced errors compared to 19 by his English opponent. Federer says he wanted this title.
"This was one of my goals this season to win [a] Masters Series [event]. Now I am happy I have won the first one because last year I could not win any," he says. "I lost in the finals at Rome. Now to win this one against Tim is especially nice."
The reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, Federer had his service broken just twice in six matches at Indian Wells.
Justine Henin-Hardenne used a dazzling mix of shots to beat former world number one Lindsay Davenport in the women's final. Henin-Hardenne's victory, which came in boiling 40-degree Celsius heat, gave the 21-year-old Belgian her fourth title of the year. Despite the score, the Belgian says the win was difficult.
"It means a lot of things. It is a big tournament, an achievement. I never played well here in the past," she says. "I was excited about coming back to see if things were going to be different this year. I am a different player. I am a better player, a better person. I just tried to stay focused on every game, every match. And it worked pretty good."
Davenport, who lost for only the second time in 17 matches this year, could only stand and watch as Henin-Hardenne banged shots down the lines that were well out of reach.