Serena's next title path could see Henin-Hardenne, Navratilova
AFP, April, 2004
KEY BISCAYNE (AFP) — Serena Williams cruised to a crown in her first tournament after an eight-month layoff, but Justine Henin-Hardenne and 47-year-old Martina Navratilova are set to block her path to another title.
Williams, who underwent left knee surgery last August, routed Russia's Elena Dementieva 6-1, 6-1 here Saturday at the 6.5 million-dollar hardcourt final in her first event since beating sister Venus last July in the Wimbledon final.
"It just says that I'm back," Williams said. "As long as I'm healthy, then I'm definitely still a top contender."
The world's five top-ranked women skipped Serena's comeback party, but when she begins French Open preparations on Amelia Island clay it will be as the second seed to Belgium's top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne.
Williams might have to face her or France's Amelie Mauresmo in ...