New Delhi: Women's top seed Justine Henin is in great form at the moment in the US Open at the Flushing Meadows.
The Belgian was far too powerful for Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in her second round match on Wednesday requiring just 68 minutes winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-0.
"Yes, the thing is that I enjoy my tennis probably much more now than maybe a year ago. All the decisions I think it is just to feel better, be a better person. If it can help my tennis, that's great. But I realised tennis is not everything in my life. It's going to be a few more years, but I just want to be happy. I feel great with the decisions I took. I can tell you it's been very hard times emotionally. A lot of ups and downs," a jubilant Justine Henin said.
Ana Ivanovic, seeded fifth, recovered from a slow start to beat Aravane Rezai of France 6-3, 6-1. The 19-year-old Serb trailed 3-1 in the opening set but stormed back to set up a meeting with Vera Dushevina of Russia in the next round.
Dushevina overcame her countrymate Ekaterina Bychkova 6-4, 6-3.
"Yes, actually yesterday when I was signing autographs after practice, the guy asked me to sign his forehead. I was like, Are you kidding?" a laughing Ivanovic said.
When asked if she signed, Ivanovic said, "No, I didn't. I felt bad for him walking with a sign. I say, I can sign your ball or shirt, but forehead?"
Third seed Jelena Jankovic also had an easy time on the court winning against Belarus's Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-2 to set up a date with France's Alize Cornet in the third round.
Cornet also won her second round match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.
"Yes, I remember. Even when I watch some of the highlights, you know, on the TV, something, it's amazing. If I look at myself, I felt like I was flying on the court. You know, I was just so fast. I was a lot thinner than I am now (laughter). Then I look at myself now, it's totally different player, different girl. But I feel more mature, more experienced. I'm having a lot of fun. I'm just enjoying my game," Jelena Jankovic, looking back on her US Open performance in 2006, said.
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The Williams sisters had contrasting outings with Venus progressing to the third round easily with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Romania's Ioana Raluca Olaru.
"It was definitely a wonderful way to start the tournament. It was really exciting, the tribute to Althea (Gibson). Now I definitely feel like I'm on a roll. I feel like when I need the points I get them. I'm playing very strong. Everything is going well," Venus Williams said.
Her sister Serena, however, was made to work hard in the first set by Italy's Maria Elena Camerin, but after initial hiccups, Serena managed 7-5, 6-2 victory in one hour and 27 minutes.
Women's singles second round: Ana Ivanovic (5), Serbia, def. Aravane Rezai, France, 6-3, 6-1. Sybille Bammer (19), Austria, def. Meghann Shaughnessy, United States, 6-4, 6-3. Vera Dushevina, Russia, def. Ekaterina Bychkova, Russia, 6-4, 6-3. Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, def. Ai Sugiyama (28), Japan, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Elena Dementieva (14), Russia, def. Petra Cetkovska, Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-2. Venus Williams (12), United States, def. Ioana Raluca Olaru, Romania, 6-4, 6-2. Justine Henin (1), Belgium, def. Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgaria, 6-4, 6-0. Alona Bondarenko (21), Ukraine, def. Eleni Daniilidou, Greece, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Marion Bartoli (10), France, def. Sara Errani, Italy, 6-4, 6-1. Alize Cornet, France, def. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 6-2, 6-1. Dinara Safina (15), Russia, def. Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukraine, 6-2, 6-1. Lucie Safarova (20), Czech Republic, def. Andrea Petkovic, Germany, 6-3, 6-3. Jelena Jankovic (3), Serbia, def. Olga Govortsova, Belarus, 6-2, 6-2. Ahsha Rolle, United States, def. Karin Knapp, Italy, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Vera Zvonareva (27), Russia, def. Elena Likhovtseva, Russia, 6-4, 6-2. Serena Williams (8), United States, def. Maria Elena Camerin, Italy, 7-5, 6-2.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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