Serena Williams vs Justine Henin, AO Finals - Live

Just woke up and I now have my laptop set-up in front of the TV. The whole family is asleep but I can't miss a single point of what promises to be a great match between Serena Williams and Justine Henin. At stake is more than the Australian Open title - this match-up is the first Grand Slam final between the two best players in the past decade. Serena Williams is the current #1; Justine Henin is on the second tournament of her comeback after being the first current #1 player to retire in May 2008. It's power vs placement. Will Justine win her 8th major? Or will Serena add to her 11th major and tie American legend Billie Jean King with 12 major titles?

LIVE BLOGGING: Serena Williams versus Justine Henin at the 2010 Australian Open

Set 3, Game 8. Serena wins the set, 6-2, and has defended her Australian Open title.
- Game. Set. Match. Serena with a winner to close the match.
- 40-15. Henin saves a match point with a return that clips the line. Two more championship points.
- 40-0. Serena has three big serves, three match points.

Serena will now be serving for her 12th major title. Can Henin derail her?

Set 3, Game 7. Serena leads, 5-2.
- Game. Serena gets a double break lead with a strong return off a second serve.
- 15-40. Serena defends well. Forces a volley error from Henin. Two break points for the #1.
- 15-30. Henin double faults. An opportunity for Williams - she's six points away from the title.
- 15-15. Serena with a down the line forehand winner. Every point is becoming very tense.
- 15-0. Henin draws an error from Serena with a sliced backhand.

Set 3, Game 6. Williams holds and leads, 4-2.
- Game. Serena serves a second serve ace.
- 40-30. Serena's forehand misfires.
- 40-15. Serena has 2 game points after Henin's passing shot goes out.
- 30-15. Henin with a forehand return that goes into the net.
- 15-15. Henin wins a rally. Serena's backhand goes to the net after she tries to change direction.
- 15-0. Henin sends a shot long.

Commentator comparing Henin's movement and shot-making to that of Roger Federer's. Three consecutive breaks in the third set, will Serena be able to hold?

Set 3, Game 5. Serena leading 3-2.
- Game. Serena gets break when Henin sends a backhand long.
- 30-40. Serena with a backhand return winner down the line off a second serve. Break point for Serena.
- 30-30. Double fault for Henin. Each point becoming so precious.
- 30-15. Henin lobs Serena successfully.
- 15-15. Henin serves big but follows it up with a shot into the net.

Set 3, Game 4. Henin ties the set with a break, 2-2.
- Game. Henin pounces on a second serve and forces a backhand error from Serena.
- 30-40. Henin dumps a forehand return into the net.
- 15-40. Henin puts a backhand into the net. Two more breakpoints for the Belgian.
- 0-40. Serena sends a forehand long and faces 3 break points.
- 0-30. Another shot from Serena's racquet that goes out. Henin with a good opportunity to break on this serve.
- 0-15. Henin wins the rally when Serena's shot goes out.

Serena has now won the last two games. Serena will try to consolidate the break of serve.

Set 3, Game 3. Serena gets a break and leads, 2-1.
- Game. Good play by Serena. Forces Henin to dump a volley into the net.
- 15-40. Serena forces a forehand error with a deep return. Two break points for the American.
- 15-30. Serena wins rally when Henin dumps backhand into the net.
- 15-15. One error apiece from each player. First two points go long.

Set 3, Game 2. Players tied at 1-1.
- Game. Serena serves herself out of travel with another ace.
- Advantage Serena. Another big serve and the return goes long.
- 40-40. Serena has a swinging volley winner. Huge save on this service game.
- 30-40. An ace from Serena.
- 15-40. Serena serves and volleys. Put a volley into the net. Two chances for an early break.
- 15-30. Henin with a forehand winner down the line.
- 15-15. Serena with a big serve.
- 0-15. Serena lost 15 straight points.

Set 3, Game 1. Henin leads for the first time of the match at 1-0, third set.
- Game. Henin holds after Serena dumps an easy volley into the net.
- 40-0. Henin wins a rally.
- 30-0. Serena dumps a second serve return into the net for the first point. Then another return goes to the net.

It's now down to the third set. Henin has the momentum. Serena goes to the locker room. This is the first Grand Slam final in the women's game to go three sets since Amelie Mauresmo beat Henin in the finals of 2006 Wimbledon. The first game of the third set will be crucial. Will Serena be able to break Henin's serve? Venus standing in the player's box looking very anxious. Henin has won the last 10 points and last 4 games of the second set.

Set 2, Game 9. Henin wins the second set, 6-3.
- Game. Henin breaks. Evens the championship final.
- 0-40. Another winner off a second serve of Serena and Henin has 3 set points.
- 0-30. Henin with a winner and Serena with an unforced error. Henin two points away from this set.

Set 2, Game 8. Henin consolidates break and leads set, 5-3.
- Game. Henin holds at love as Serena dumps return into the net.
- 40-0. Henin with a forehand winner.
- 30-0. Henin with a backhand winner.
- 15-0. Serena dumps a return into the net.

An important game. If Henin holds, Serena will be serving at 3-5.

Set 2, Game 7. Henin has won the last 2 games and leads the set, 4-3.
- Game. Henin breaks when Serena's shot goes out.
- Advantage Henin. She attacks the net and has a volley winner.
- Deuce. Serena responds with an ace. Henin challenges but serve hit the line.
- 30-40. Henin attacks the net and forces an error from Serena. Break point opportunity for Henin.
- 30-30. Henin with a backhand winner down the line as Serena was approaching the net. Crucial point for the game and set.
- 30-15. Serena with her third double fault for the match.
- 30-0. Serena with a backhand winner.
- 15-0. Henin attacks the net after a second serve return. Serena with a passing shot.

Set 2, Game 6. Players tied at 3-3.
- Game. Henin holds by forcing an error from Serena.
- Advantage. Henin wins a point at the net after a long rally. Crowd cheering her on.
- Second Deuce. Serena with another error. The next rally produces a forehand winner from Serena.
- Deuce. Serena with an unforced error from her forehand. Break point saved for Henin.
- 30-40. A long rally ends with Henin's defensive lob going out. Break point opportunity for Serena.
- 30-30. Serena pressures Henin in a rally and Henin sends a backhand long.
- 30-15. Serena dumps return into the net.
- 15-15. Henin pressured during the rally but responds with a backhand winner down the line.
- 0-15. Serena forces a backhand error during a rally.

Set 2, Game 5. Serena wins last 2 games and leads, 3-2.
- Game. Henin dumps a forehand return into the net.
- 40-15. Henin attacks a second serve and the return goes long. Serena with a chance to take the lead.
- 30-15. Henin's defensive lob goes out.
- 15-15. Serena serves second double fault of the match.
- 15-0. Henin sends a backhand return long.

Set 2, Game 4. Players tied at 2-2.
- Game. Serena wins a rally and gets the break back.
- 30-40. Henin saves a break point with a volley winner.
- 15-40. Big backhand for Serena. Two chances to break back.
- 15-30. Serena goes for a return, it goes long.
- 0-30. Henin with another error.
- 0-15. Serena wins rally when Henin dumps a shot into the net.

How will Serena respond to Henin's lead? Will she immediately break back? Crowd is getting involved cheering on Henin.

Set 2, Game 3. Henin leads in the second set, 2-1.
- Game. Henin breaks, wins a net exchange when Serena didn't execute a volley well.
- 0-40. Serena has 3 unforced errors. Golden opportunity for Henin to break.

Video showed Margaret Court being honored. The most successful woman in Australian Open history with 11 wins is watching this final.

Set 2, Game 2. Henin holds, ties second set at 1-1.
- Game. Henin holds after saving 2 break points.
- Advantage Henin. Henin with an ace.
- 40-40. Serena loses a rally with a long return.
- 30-40. A break point saved when Serena dumps a return into the net on a second serve.
- 15-40. Another shot long by Henin. Serena has golden opportunity to up her lead.
- 15-30. Serena wins another rally when a Henin backhand goes long.
- 15-15. Serena wins a rally, forcing an error from Henin.
- 15-0. Serena dumps return into the net.

TV screen shows Serena being the sixth most successful player with 11 Grand Slam wins. Will tie Billie Jean King at fifth place with a win here.

Set 2, Game 1. Serena leads 1-0.
- Game. Serena serves her sixth ace and gets the service game.
- 40-15. Serena forces a shot long from Henin.
- 15-15. Serena with a winner and an unforced error in first two points of the set.

Henin and Serena are almost unbeatable if they win the first set at a Grand Slam. Serena has never lost a match at the Australian Open when she wins the first set.

Set 1, Game 10. First set to Williams, 6-4.
- Game. Henin loses the point when the net cord bounces the ball out.
- 40-40. Serena dumps return into the net.
- 30-40. Henin double faults. She challenges call and loses. Set point for Serena.
- 30-30. Henin scores second ace.
- 15-30. Serena has a forehand winner. Two points from the set.
- 15-15. Henin scores a second serve ace. First ace for Henin in this match.
- 0-15. Henin double faults.

Will Serena be able to break Henin for the set? Photos of Kim Clijsters winning the US Open is shown.

Set 1, Game 9. Serena holds at love and leads 5-4.
- Game. Henin sends a return long. It's the easiest service game for Serena.
- 40-0. Serena with a service winner.
- 30-0. Serena with an ace.
- 15-0. Serena wins a rally.

Set 1, Game 8. It's a tie at 4-4.
- Game. A service game hold at love.
- 40-0. Serena returns long, 3 game points for a 4-4 tie.
- 30-0. Serena sends a forehand return long.
- 15-0. Henin with a forehand winner.

Set 1, Game 7. Back on serve. Serena will be returning at 4-3.
- Game. Henin wins the point with a backhand winner. Shouts "ALLEZ!"
- 30-40. Serena saves another break point with a volley winner.
- 15-40. Serena with an unforced error.
- 0-30. Serena dumps a shot into the net. Henin again ahead on a Serena service game.
- 0-15. Henin with a passing shot winner.

Crowd solidly behind Henin.

Set 1, Game 6: Serena leads 4-2.
- Game. Serena dumps forehand into the net.
- 40-30. Henin with a second double fault.
- 40-15. Henin with an error.
- 40-0. Serena with 2 unforced errors and Henin scores a winner.

Justine getting frustrated after not taking any of her six break point opportunities. French Open 2003 incident being replayed.

Set 1, Game 5: Serena consolidates break, leads 4-1.
- Game. Henin dumps a volley into the net.
- 40-40. Serena scores 2 service winners to save break points. Crowd is booing after Henin utters an obscenity which the umpire didn't hear.
- 15-40. Henin with another break points as Serena dumps an error into the net.
- 15-30. Henin wins a couple of rallies forcing errors from Serena.

Set 1, Game 4: Serena breaks Henin at love. Leads 3-1.
- Game. Henin with an error.
- 0-40. Williams with a backhand winner. Three break points.
- 0-30. Williams wins first point and Henin double faults for the first time in the match.

Justine attacking the Serena second serve. Missing so far but is putting a lot of pressure there. Serena's serve is getting her out of trouble.

Set 1, Game 3: Serena holds, 2-1.
- Game. Serena struggles but holds win a smash.
- Fifth Deuce. Henin with another winner at game point.
- Fourth Deuce. Henin with a forehand winner.
- Third Deuce. Both players pass each other at the net to win a point each.
- 40-40. Serena serves another ace.
- 30-40. Henin earns another couple of break points with a lucky net cord shot.
- 15-30. Serena counters with a less powerful but well placed ace.
- 0-30. Henin attacks the net and Serena sends a shot long. Good opportunity for Henin.
- 0-15. Serena with a rare double fault.

Set 1, Game 2: Players tied at 1-1.
- Game. Serena returns long on a second serve, and sends a backhand long during a rally. Henin holds.
- 30-30. Serena attacks 2 slow serves and gets winners on both.
- 30-0. Henin loses a challenge. Point is replayed, Henin wins the point.
- 15-0. Henin delivers a winner after a rally.

Set 1, Game 1: Serena leads 1-0
- Game. Serena wins the first game after 8 minutes saving 2 break points.
- Fourth Deuce. No one is seemingly willing to give up this game. Venus is shown supporting her sister from the player's box.
- Third Deuce. Serena puts a backhand into the net.
- Second Deuce. Serena serves an ace at game-point, which Henin challenges and won. Henin wins second serve point.
- 40-40. Serena saves break points with an ace and service winner.
- 15-40. Serena with 2 unforced errors. Break opportunity for Henin.
- 15-0. Serena serves a warning, the first point being an ace.

Ball Toss: Serena wins the toss and opted to serve.