Ok, I'll admit it - I was never a Justine Henin fan. When she retired I just shrugged my shoulders and thought I wouldn't miss her. The nearly two years that followed on the WTA Tour was a (near) complete bore. Now, I doubt I'm going to find myself cheering her on whole-heartedly but this time around I plan on embracing her return to the game. It's much needed.
And poor Nadia Petrova, the #2 seed in Brisbane had the misfortune of being Justine's first victim and though it was a tight two set affair the Belgian former #1 secured her first comeback match, 75 75.
Said Justine after the match, "Mentally, I was able to play my best when the score was tight at the end of both sets. I really enjoyed being out there - that's what I'm going to remember today."
Knocking Petrova out of the way and suddenly Henin looks like a good bet to get to the final. Her only real obstacle would be a potential semifinal against Ana Ivanovic - who herself is on a bit of a comeback trail.
Wouldn't it be something if we got both comebacking Belgians to play each other in the final? Then of course I'm back at square one - pulling for Henin's opponent.
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