Henin beats #12 Penetta - targets Wimbledon

In her 2nd competitive match after her May 2008 retirement, former world #1 Justine Henin of Belgium defeated Italy's Flavia Pennetta in the Women's Tennis Trophy on Sunday. The straight set 6-4, 6-4 victory had the same scoreline as Henin's semifinal victory the day before over compatriot Kirsten Flipkens. The exhibition tournament is held in Charleroi, Belgium. Penetta was expected to be a more formidable opponent for Henin as compared than Flipkens. The top-ranked Italian is after all, #12 in the world rankings.

Between July and August this summer, Pennetta compiled an 18-2 record over the course of four tournaments, winning 2 of these. She beat two top ten players - Vera Zvonareva and Venus Williams - during this time, and made her top 10 debut on August 17. For Henin to beat Pennetta in straight sets is a good indication of Henin's form after her long absence. She can be confident that she's in pretty good shape even against the best players.

Henin will make her official return to the WTA circuit at the Brisbane tournament on January 3, 2010. Before heading Down Under, Henin will compete in another exhibition tournament in Cairo on December 12. Her opponent will be current world #20 and former world #3 Nadia Petrova of Russia.

After the match, Henin declared that for her second return to tennis, her goal would be to win Wimbledon, the only grand slam not yet in her collection. "It is another Justine Henin who will try and go out there and achieve her dream of finally winning Wimbledon," Henin said. "I don't know if it's possible but that just makes it an even more passionate challenge for me."

She will have her work cut-out for her since Wimbledon has been the backyard of the powerful Williams sisters. The grass in Wimbledon favors the game and playing style of the top American players who have won 8 of the past 10 titles, and have contested 4 championship finals in 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2009. In the past decade, 2006 is the only year that neither sister was in contention. That year, recently retired Amelie Mauresmo of France beat Henin in three sets to win her second major championship.