http://www.justine-henin.be/public/index.asp?lang=en Australian Open 2008 - Middle Gear 16/01/2008: Justine made her way into Friday's third round by defeating Russian Olga Poutchkova 6-1 7-5. The first set was a Belgian serve and volley clinic for the Wednesday Rod Laver Arena crowd, but she downshifted to middle gear and gave Poutchkova a glittery gift pass back into the match. The former top 30 Russian player showed fine hitting in the second set, but vulnerable second serves ended the tension for Henin fans as Justine claimed her third match point. The regal Belgian will play Italy's Francesca Schiavone on Friday. This was the first meeting between Justine and Olga Poutchkova. The Russian was ranked high as #32 last season, but slumped to her current #97. The early rounds, and especially an under ranked unseen player is always a knotty challenge for the elites of the tennis world. Justine started on fire and gave a dazzling Henin style flash and dash of serve to volley in the first set. Poutchkova didn't get a look in and the first set was over in 22 minutes. The Melbourne weather conditions changed. From overcast and cool to hotter and noonday sun glare. One side of the court at Rod Laver Arena in particular caused problems for both players with ball tosses, and returns. Justine downshifted to a middle gear in the second set, and the Russian found the clean hitting form that took her to the top 30 last year. Accurate, and smooth two-handed down the line winners were the Russian winning sparks. Justine too busy with fine tuning her own arsenal of shots unsighted a few returns and lost the momentum till the score became 5-5. A bit of digging out from the trenches, and the pressure was back onto the Russian. The big occassion finally got to Poutckova as she conceded service holds to give Justine her third match point. Final Score 6-1 7-5 in 1hr 23min --

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