Mauresmo ends long wait for grand slam victory

Amelie Mauresmo won her first grand slam title when Justine Henin-Hardenne retired from the Australian Open women's singles final due to illness yesterday.

Third seed Mauresmo, the 1999 Melbourne runner-up, won the first set 6-1 after dominating the early exchanges and led 2-0 in the second when Henin-Hardenne pulled out.

"It would have been probably different if the match went to the end but the joy is here," Mauresmo said.

"I've been waiting so long for this and really worked hard for this, it's a really great achievement," the Frenchwoman said after lifting the trophy in her 32nd grand slam tournament.

Mauresmo served out the first set after 33 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, Henin-Hardenne netting a forehand service return on the final point as Mauresmo finally put paid to her reputation as a big-match choker.

She grabbed another service break in the opening game of the second set but former world number one Henin-Hardenne was clearly struggling and could go no further, retiring after 52 minutes at 0-30 on her serve.

Henin-Hardenne said she had suffered an upset stomach after doubling the dose of anti-inflammatory tablets she had been taking for a shoulder problem, adding that she had no regrets.

"It's my decision, my choice. I decided to walk on the court because I'm professional, I wanted to try," said Henin-Hardenne, who got $457,500 as the losing finalist.

Henin-Hardenne said she realised many people would think she should have carried on.

"Everyone has the right to think that but it's my health," said a tearful Henin-Hardenne, who was unable to defend her 2004 Australian Open title last year because of a knee injury.

"I have to think about myself right now. It's me that was feeling bad," she said.

Henin-Hardenne was installed as a clear favourite after winning the Sydney International two weeks ago but became the first woman to retire from the final of a grand slam tournament in the Open era.

Mauresmo said she had bought a special bottle of wine, reported to be a 1937 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes, several years ago to open when she won her first grand slam.

"Now I'm going to have to open it. We will have, I'm sure, more than one," she said.