Henin powers past Russian into fourth round

Justine Henin used her formidable backhand and tight-angles to beat Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-3 in their third round match at Wimbledon on Friday.

Justine Henin used her formidable backhand and tight-angles to beat Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-3 in their third round match at Wimbledon on Friday.

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The world number one, seeking her first Wimbledon crown to complete her grand slam collection, broke in the first game of the match before overpowering the world number 67 with some of her trademark backhands down the line.

The Belgian was 3-2 up in the second before rain interrupted play for an hour and a half. The Russian held her serve after the break before Henin whizzed through the next three games, wrapping up the match with a forehand that was too good for her opponent.

She will face either 24th seed Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine or 15th seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in the fourth round.