AFTER Tim Henman had lost, you sensed that this year's Wimbledon was over. Never mind that there were both the men's and ladies' singles finals to come.

Everyone on Centre Court seemed so flat and dejected. What they needed now was an inspiring ladies' final to kick-start the day.

Although Justine Henin was bidding to become the first Belgian to win a Grand Slam singles title against Venus Williams, the final didn't quite live up to the match that everyone was hoping for.

Williams, pictured left receiving the salver from the Duchess of Kent, was never in any danger of losing, even though her 19-year-old opponent won the second set.

The problem was herself, as her concentration seemed to waver at times.

My fears for Henin at the beginning of the match proved correct as I had thought that Williams would simply overpower her.

But all credit to the teenager because after a short rain delay in the second set she changed her tactics and decided to dominate as much as possible.

With players like Venus Williams, who is so powerful and who can hit the ball with such awesome accuracy, it is important to mix up the play and to take charge of the point before she does. If you don't, you end up doing all the running.

Although Henin won the second set, it was only a matter of time before Williams rediscovered her concentration.

The American ran away with the final set 6-0 and so successfully retained her title.