Amelie Mauresmo won her first Grand Slam title when Justine Henin-Hardenne retired from the Australian Open women's singles final due to illness on Saturday.
Third seed Mauresmo, the 1999 Melbourne runner-up, won the first set 6-1 after dominating the early exchanges and led 2-0 in the second when Henin-Hardenne pulled out.
"It would have been probably different if the match went to the end but the joy is here," Mauresmo told a news conference.
"I've been waiting so long for this and really worked hard for this, it's a really great achievement. I'm probably the proudest woman now," the Frenchwoman said after lifting the trophy in her 32nd Grand Slam tournament.
Mauresmo raced into a 5-0 lead after breaking eighth seed Henin-Hardenne in the second and fourth games, the second one coming after an uncharacteristic backhand error by the Belgian.
Mauresmo served out the set after 33 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, Henin-Hardenne netting a forehand service return on the final point as Mauresmo finally put paid to her reputation as a big-match choker.
She grabbed another service break in the opening game of the second set but former world number one Henin-Hardenne was clearly struggling and could go no further, retiring after 52 minutes at 0-30 on her serve.
UPSET STOMACH
Henin-Hardenne said she had suffered an upset stomach after doubling the dose of anti-inflammatory tablets she had been taking for a shoulder problem, adding that she had no regrets.
"It's my decision, my choice. I decided to walk on the court because I'm professional, I want to try," said Henin-Hardenne, who won A$610,000 ($457,500) as the losing finalist.
Henin-Hardenne said she realised many people would think she should have carried on.
"Everyone has the right to think that but it's my health," said a tearful Henin-Hardenne, who was unable to defend her 2004 Australian Open title last year because of a knee injury.
"I have to think about myself right now. It's me that was feeling bad," she said.
Mauresmo, who will move up a place to number two in the world, said she would have given everything to stay on the court.
"I was ready to die on the court today," Mauresmo said.
The Belgian called for assistance from a trainer after winning a 33-shot long rally in the second game of the second set. She went back out on the court and played two more points before deciding she could not continue.
"I'm feeling very disappointed to lose the tournament this way," the French Open champion said.
"I'm feeling so sick, I couldn't stay on the court any more. It's very frustrating that it ends this way."
Henin-Hardenne was installed as a clear favourite with bookmakers after winning the Sydney International two weeks ago but became the first woman to retire from the final of a grand slam tournament in the Open era.
Mauresmo said she had bought a special bottle of wine, reported to be a 1937 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes, several years ago to open when she won her first grand slam.
"Now I'm going to have to open it. We will have, I'm sure, more than one," she said.
Unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis will have even more boisterous celebrations if he topples world number one Roger Federer in Sunday's men's singles final.
Former world junior champion Baghdatis, the only Cypriot to play in a grand slam, has ridden waves of raucous support from Melbourne's large Greek community on a extraordinary run through the tournament.
"I believe in it. My coach does, everyone in my corner does," world number 54 Baghdatis told reporters. "I give myself a good chance."
In Saturday's men's doubles final, top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan of the U.S. came from a set down to beat Czech Republic's Martin Damm and India's Leander Paes 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
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