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Henin banishes comeback doubts with brilliant win

Justine Henin’s Australian Open second-round win over Russian Elena Dementieva on Wednesday was just the validation she needed after coming out of retirement.

“It was a special night tonight. That’s why I probably came back on the tour, to live these kind of matches,” an exhausted Henin told reporters after clinching a 7-5 7-6 victory over the world number five at a packed Rod Laver Arena.

“I think I’m already at an amazing level for not having played 18 months and the draw was pretty tough.

“But it’s the kind of thing I need for my confidence. Now we’ll see.”

In beating Dementieva, and proving none of her sublime shot-making had deserted her in the time away from the game, Henin has hinted she could win the trophy in just her second tournament back.

The Belgian, whose seven grand slam titles were built on her ice-cool demeanour during big points, was concerned her skills may have deserted her.

Having failed to despatch U.S. Open champion and fellow comeback queen Kim Clijsters when given two match points in the final of the Brisbane International this month, Henin felt the doubts creep in again when she missed another when serving for the match at 5-4 against Dementieva.

“I thought about Brisbane and the opportunities I got over there,” said Henin. “(I) got the opportunity to finish the match and couldn’t because my nerves weren’t probably solid enough.

“Today I thought it was going to happen again. I really thought in the tiebreak I wouldn’t be strong enough.

“When I got the opportunities, and the way I finished on serve and volley, I mean it was the best I could dream of.”

A third set would have been tough for the 27-year-old who begun to cramp up badly during the tiebreak of the near-three hour match.

Henin next meets another Russian, 27^th seed Alisa Kleybanova.

“I don’t have any answer how I’m going to recover in the next 36 hours or so,” she said.