AUSTRALIAN OPEN ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Henin-Hardenne thrilled: Two months ago, Justine Henin-Hardenne didn't even know if she would be at the Australian Open. After an illness and injury-hit 2004 and first part of 2005 -- during which she missed last year's Australian Open as defending champion -- Henin-Hardenne returned to win a second French Open title. But again she encountered problems, including a right hamstring strain that put her out for two months at the end of last season. Now saying she's playing pain free for the first time in nine months, Henin-Hardenne advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-3 win Sunday over Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain. It was her 18th straight win in Australia, and follows a title at the Sydney International last week. "I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to come here," the eighth-seeded Henin-Hardenne said after beating Ruano Pascual. "That's for sure my biggest victory, to be healthy, being on the court. I just enjoy that so much." Henin-Hardenne is hoping history can repeat itself. Two years ago, she also won in Sydney before going on to capture the 2004 Australian Open. "I have had a lot of success since I arrived here in Australia, played a lot of matches," she said. "That's what I'm here for, (to) get my confidence back. That's what I wish for in 2006, to play a whole season."
Lots of room: Scorching temperatures at the Australian Open meant there were no matches on the outside courts for most of Sunday, but people with ground passes won't be getting refunds. The unpleasant conditions that forced officials to invoke the Extreme Heat Policy also kept the day's attendance to 22,679, more than 10,000 less than the same day last year. Everyone who showed up theoretically could have fit in 15,000-seat Rod Laver Arena and 10,000-seat Vodafone Arena, and play went on as usual on those courts with the roofs closed. The difference in attendance was most evident around Garden Square, normally packed with people watching matches on a big-screen TV, listening to live music, munching food or just lounging in the shade. The sprawling area was nearly deserted. There were no waiting lines at the food and beverage stands, some of which closed for the day. But business was brisk in the air-conditioned concourses of the two stadiums, where cold drinks and ice cream were in heavy demand. After temperatures cooled, the first play on outside courts began about 6:30 p.m.
Russians power through: Five Russian women made it through to the fourth round at the Australian Open, continuing strong showings by names ending in "a" at Grand Slam tournaments. Former Grand Slam singles winners Maria Sharapova (2004 Wimbledon), Anastasia Myskina (2004 French Open) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (2004 U.S. Open), along with Nadia Petrova and Elena Vesnina, all made it through to the final 16 at Melbourne Park. It's not as high as the seven who made it through last year here, then continued to dominate at other Slams -- six each at the French and Wimbledon, and four at the U.S. Open. In 2003 and 2004, 27 Russian women were in fourth-round matches at Grand Slams. "There are like 50 players from Russia in the top 10. Every week you have to play an 'ova," Serena Williams said at Wimbledon in 2004. "They ask, 'Who're you playing?' I say, 'I'm playing an 'ova' today.' " Kuznetsova and Vesnina lost Sunday -- Kuznetsova in straight sets to top-seeded Lindsay Davenport, and Vesnina to Petrova. Sharapova defeated Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. Myskina plays her fourth-round match Monday. "We're all good friends with everyone," Vesnina said following her 6-3, 6-1 loss to Petrova. Vesnina said she's inspired by Russia's strength in women's tennis -- 14 in the top 100, led by Sharapova at No. 4 and seventh-ranked Petrova. "I try to be like them, I try to play like they are playing," said Vesnina, who is No. 100. "Today, Nadia showed me how I need to play in the future. It's a good lesson for me."
Associated Press