Psyched-up Henin-Hardenne adopts all-out attack

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) Justine Henin-Hardenne put on a display of unrelenting aggression at the French Open today to beat Tathiana Garbin 6-4-6-0.

The defending champion left her Italian opponent reeling, winning the last nine games to move into the fourth round.

''I started the match pretty well but not aggressive enough,'' said the Belgian fifth seed.

''When I was down 4-3 in the first set, I just tried to go to another level. That's what I did. It worked pretty well.

''I was very aggressive. I went forward. I didn't give up a single point.'' Garbin led their head-to-head record 2-1 before the match and one of those wins came in the second round at Roland Garros in 2004 when Henin-Hardenne was also the defending champion.

''In the first set, I have to say I thought a little bit about what happened two years ago,'' Henin-Hardenne said.

''I just tried to change the way I was playing and be a little bit more aggressive.

''I was very tense this morning before the match. This was probably a good sign because to me being tense is something I need.

''I suppose that every player needs it. Maybe I need it just a bit more than most.

''The fact that I'm on my guard, the fact that I'm very careful, I expect anything from my opponent even during the first week, even when on paper the match looks easy enough.

''That's why you have to be aggressive. That's why you have to be humble, forget about your pride. This is what I did during my first few matches and I'm going to continue.'' Henin-Hardenne next faces Russia's 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina. The Belgian leads their head-to-head 6-2 but three of their last four meetings have been three-setters.

''We always had tough matches in the past. We had just great fights. She's a real fighter. It's going to be a tough match,'' Henin-Hardenne said.

''I will have to improve my game, go to another step, another level if I want to win.'' REUTERS PG RAI1844