Henin smothers Hantuchova to reach last eight

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) Justine Henin-Hardenne stifled Slovak Daniela Hantochova 6-3 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon today.

As temperatures soared on a sweltering day at the championships, both players struggled to hold serve in a topsy turvy first set.

The Belgian third seed held a 3-1 advantage before the next five games went against serve.

Hantuchova managed to fend off four set points on her serve thanks to a succession of errors from Henin-Hardenne. But the French Open champion bagged it on her fifth attempt when the 15th seed dragged the ball beyond the baseline.

Henin-Hardenne had to save three more break points in the opening game of the second but then strolled through, clinching victory when Hantuchova's forehand clipped the tape and rolled back on to her side of the court.

The 2001 runner-up will next face French qualifier Severine Bremond.

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