Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Henin and Clijsters meet in Miami

Justine Henin (left) and Kim Clijsters celebrate after their respective quarter-final victories
Henin (left) lost to Clijsters in their only post-retirement meeting

Rejuvenated Belgian stars Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters will meet in the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Henin, who only returned to action in January after an 18-month break, beat world number two Caroline Wozniacki 6-7 6-3 6-4 in Miami on Wednesday.

Clijsters, who ended a two-year break in 2009, beat Samantha Stosur 6-3 7-5.

Henin leads their head-to-head series 12-11 but Clijsters won when they met in the Brisbane Open final in January - Henin's first tournament back.

"That was one of the most fun, most exciting matches I think that I've played in my career," said 26-year-old Clijsters, who saved two match points in that contest.

"Hopefully we can both play the same kind of match level and intensity. It's fun to see the two comebacks doing well."

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Henin, 27, said the pair's rivalry "has always been special, and it will always be special, because Kim and I grew up together".

She added: "We arrived on the tour almost at the same time, we played good at the same time, we retired at the same time, and we came back at the same time."

Henin's win was her fourth in a row against a seeded player and ensures she will return to the world's top 30 on Monday.

A seven-time Grand Slam champion, Henin has lost only three matches since coming back, but she made a scrappy start against Wozniacki, committing 31 unforced errors as she lost the opening set.

However, the Belgian steadied herself, and lost only two points on serve as she came through the decider thanks to a single break.

Wednesday's meeting was her first with 19-year-old Wozniacki, who said she watched Henin playing at her peak when growing up.

"It's really difficult to play matches again after you haven't played for a while, but I think she just didn't feel the pressure," said the Danish teenager.

"She just went out there and enjoyed it, and that's why the results are coming.

"She had a break for 18 months, but she was still practising hard and she has been working out a lot and she's been number one in the world.

"She has the experience, all the package that she needs to become a great player again, and she is."

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