Henin wins 1st Competitive Match in 18 months

Former world #1 and ex-retiree Justine Henin made a winning return to competitive tennis. She beat compatriot and world #81 Kirsten Flipkens in straight sets at the 7th CPH Women Tennis Trophy in Charleroi, Belgium on Saturday, Dec 5. Henin started tentatively but scored a relatively easy 6-4, 6-4 victory. It was Henin's first competitive match in 18 months since announcing her retirement before the 2008 French Open. She will face a tougher opponent on Sunday at this exhibition tournament. She's awaiting the winner of the other Saturday match between #12 Flavia Penetta of Italy and #50 Alice Cornet of France.

Henin, who turned 27 in June, is due to make her official return to the WTA circuit in the Brisbane tournament that starts on January 3 next year, 2 weeks before the Australian Open in Melbourne. Her return to tennis follows the spectacular return of fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, who won the US Open just 3 tournaments into her comeback. Henin's re-arrival to the tennis scene will certainly add more excitement to the coming season and anticipation is already growing amongst tennis fans, this blogger included. Henin's website at www.justine-henin.be is temporarily closed and is expected to be open to the public come December 20 of this year.