Next, a Rematch With the Rising Star

There was a time when it was unusual for Justine Henin-Hardenne to hit the deck, suffering from cramps or injury, and then amazingly recover from near-oblivion.

Now, people are almost used to it.

Twelve months ago, the Belgian executed a collapse/rise against favored Lindsay Davenport here at the Australian Open and the lasting result was a career breakthrough for Henin-Hardenne.

“We haven’t played since then, which is pretty remarkable,” said Davenport, who lost, 9-7, in the third set in that fourth-round match. “Obviously she went on to have a great year last year, won two Grand Slams, finished No. 1.

“I probably would not have guessed that at the time, 12 months ago.”

The top-seeded Henin-Hardenne and No. 5 Davenport today advanced to a quarterfinal meeting at the Australian Open, which could be the best match of that round. Henin-Hardenne looked strangely uncomfortable against qualifier Mara Santangelo of Italy in the fourth round before winning, 6-1, 7-6 (5), in 1 hour 27 minutes at Melbourne Park. The 129th-ranked Santangelo, who scribbled notes during changeovers, had a set point in the 10th game of the second set but pushed a half-volley long.

Also moving on to the quarterfinals were No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo of France and No. 32 Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia. Mauresmo beat Alicia Molik of Australia, 7-5, 7-5, and Zuluaga defeated the light-serving Aniko Kapros of Hungary, 6-4, 6-2.

Davenport’s fourth-round victory was impressive as she made No. 11 Vera Zvonareva of Russia look almost helpless, winning, 6-1, 6-3, in 47 minutes. It was a stark contrast to their match earlier this month in Sydney, which Davenport won, 1-6, 6-2, 7-5.

“She didn’t give me a chance to play today,” Zvonareva said. “Because she was serving really well. She was always attacking my serve, so I felt pressure from her all match. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t find my game.”

Zvonareva is feeling additional stress in 2004. As she pointed out, she is no longer an unknown quantity.

Status can change quickly on the women’s tour. Though Davenport, who won in 2000, is the only former Australian Open champion in the draw, she said during her on-court interview that she feels like the underdog, and reinforced that in the interview room.

“It’s just where I am right now,” Davenport said. “It’s kind of where I deserve to be. Didn’t play the full season last year.... Got to go with being ranked a little lower.

“But it’s been a great start of the year for me. I wouldn’t have expected it to start off this well and have a lot of wins that I’ve had. It’s been pleasantly surprising.”

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At a Glance

Highlights at the Australian Open:

Seeded men’s winners: No. 1 Andy Roddick, No. 4 Andre Agassi, No. 9 Sebastien Grosjean.

Seeded men’s losers: No. 13 Paradorn Srichaphan, No. 16 Sjeng Schalken, No. 32 Robby Ginepri.

Seeded women’s winners: No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne, No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo, No. 5 Lindsay Davenport, No. 32 Fabiola Zuluaga.

Seeded women’s loser: No. 11 Vera Zvonareva.

TODAY’S FEATURED MATCHES

MEN

* Hicham Arazi, Morocco, vs. Mark Philippoussis (10), Australia

* Lleyton Hewitt (15), Australia, vs. Roger Federer (2), Switzerland

* Andrei Pavel, Romania, vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (3), Spain

WOMEN

* Anastasia Myskina (6), Russia, vs. Chanda Rubin (9)

* Tatiana Golovin, France, vs. Lisa Raymond (25)

* Silvia Farina Elia (20), Italy, vs. Kim Clijsters (2), Belgium