 Henin did not have things her own way against Czink
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Justine Henin needed six match points before beating Melinda Czink to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals.
The former world number one continued her comeback in her first tournament since May 2008 with a 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7/5) win over the seventh seed.
The 27-year-old Belgian will face another ex-world number one Ana Ivanovic in the last four.
Meanwhile, Lleyton Hewitt says he will be fit to compete at the Australian Open despite an injury scare.
The 28-year-old Australian had treatment on his lower back at the end of the first set of his straight-sets Hopman Cup defeat by Tommy Robredo.
But Hewitt came out to play in the mixed doubles, which Australia lost in a final set tie-break to complete a 3-0 defeat by Spain, and then said he expected to be fine for Melbourne.
"I had a back spasm and I was a bit worried at first," the former Wimbledon champion said.
"It was frustrating because I couldn't really compete but it loosened up a bit in the second set. I had some massage and I am sure it will be fine."
He is due to play in the ATP event in Sydney starting on Sunday.
"I am sure by the time I play my first match in Sydney, I'll be good to go," he added.
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The win for Robredo and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez sees them advance to Saturday's final while in the day's other tie the United States beat Romania 3-0.
Melanie Oudin beat Sorana Cirstea in straight sets, 6-2 6-3, and both the men's singles and mixed doubles forfeited by Romania due to a leg injury to Victor Hanescu.
Britain's Andy Murray and Laura Robson had a rest day in the competition and will be back in action on Friday against Russia knowing a win will see them through to the final.
Henin struggled at times against Czink in a match that opened with five straight service breaks.
She dropped a set for the first time in three matches of her comeback, and wasted a break and three match points in the third before clinching the win.
"That's the kind of match that I need - not that long maybe," Henin said. "It's a perfect preparation for me.
"I wouldn't say it's a good feeling, but it's probably something I needed - in the end it was quite tight and nerves had to be solid."
Ivanovic advanced to the semi-finals after a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) over Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
But fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia lost 6-4 6-2 to 20-year-old German Andrea Petkovic.
Petkovic will play the winner of Thursday's later quarter-final between US Open champion Kim Clijsters and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.
In the men's quarter-finals, defending champion Radek Stepanek recovered from a break down in the first set to beat American Wayne Odesnik 7-6 6-1.
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