Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research

In tennis, mismatches can be as revealing as five-setters. And Friday opened with a classic on Arthur Ashe, when No. 1 seeded Justine Henin faced 19-year-old qualifier Ekaterina Makarova in the Russian's Grand Slam debut.

Henin could have clobbered the 5-foot-10 Muscovite with her multi-faceted serve, trademark backhand winners, or simply by running her around. Instead, Henin prevailed, 6-0, 6-2, mostly by preying on Makarova’s height by feeding her low ball after low ball – many of which tripped the net – in order to tire Makarova’s legs and test her flexibility.

It worked, too.

Makarova earned merely nine of 33 points in the first set. Yet without any pressure, Henin allowed her own game to loosen. The Belgian failed to convert 6 of 9 break points in the 19-minute first set.

By the end of the 50-minute match, Henin had the inferior first-service percentage (63 percent compared to Makarova’s 74 percent) and more double faults (2 to Makarova’s 1). She also allowed Makarova to win one of her only two games by breaking Henin’s serve with Henin leading 5-1.

Even the ending was imperfect and aggression-free. At deuce, leading 5-2, Henin struck a ball that hit the net, shot up, and went over unanswered. In the next point, Makarova double faulted to cede the match.

In the fourth round, the 5' 6" Henin will face an even taller opponent, No. 15 seed, Dinara Safina (5' 11 ½") — who she defeated in the Round of 16 at the 2003 Open — and will certainly be required to elevate her game.

    
Match Facts
-     Henin's 30th Grand Slam apearance; Makarova's first
-     Henin earned 17 of her 56 points on unforced errors by Makarova
-     Makarova earned 9 of her 26 points on unforced errors by Henin