PARIS — Justine Henin, a four-time French Open champion, watched helplessly from the players’ box high above the court, unable to hit those gleaming down-the-line backhands that dictated so many matches in her favor.
Nine years ago, Henin was the one standing on court beating Serena Williams in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. But on Wednesday there was nothing she could do but hope and watch. Down below, Elina Svitolina, the player Henin now coaches, was being overwhelmed.
Williams dominated from the first point to the last, placing balls where she wanted while waiting for Svitolina to make the next mistake.