Mauresmo wins first Grand Slam title when Henin-Hardenne retires

Friday, January 27th 2006, 6:38 am

By: News On 6

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Amelie Mauresmo won her first Grand Slam title Saturday, dominating Justine Henin-Hardenne before the Belgian retired in the second set of the Australian Open final because of stomach pain.

Mauresmo won the first set 6-1 and was leading 2-0 in the second when Henin-Hardenne walked to the net and told the chair umpire she could not continue.

It ended a frustrating, seven-year wait for Mauresmo, who lost the 1999 Australian Open final to Martina Hingis and had not reached another Grand Slam championship match since.

She broke Henin-Hardenne's serve twice in the first set, allowing the 23-year-old Belgian only seven points as she raced to a 5-0 lead.

Mauresmo broke serve and then held again to lead 2-0 in the second before Henin-Hardenne called for the trainer. She lost two more points before retiring.