• Australian Open, Day Three

Henin dumps Dementieva out of Open

Justine Henin blasts her way back into the big time © Getty Images

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Justine Henin's return to Grand Slam tennis is taking the shape of a fairytale after she fought past fifth seed Elena Dementieva 7-5 7-6 in what must have been one of the most intense and high-quality second round matches ever seen at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

Each set lasted over 80 minutes as almost every game seemed destined for deuce, with perhaps Henin's unquestionable status as one of the greats of the past decade giving her a slight mental edge over her powerful opponent.

"To play this kind of match in the second round, for me, after two years off in a Grand Slam, it's just the kind of situation that I needed," Henin said afterwards. "The crowd gave me so much. So respectful at the end. It was a special night tonight. That's why I probably came back on the tour, was to live these kind of matches."

Fellow Belgian superstar Kim Clijsters joined Henin in the third round after overcoming Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn, who was playing in her 14th Australian Open. Clijsters didn't have it all her own way but did enough to secure a 6-3 6-3 triumph.

Meanwhile, it was a relatively comfortable day for all the big seeds, headed by world No.2 Dinara Safina who disposed of Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-3 6-4.

Russian third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova also progressed to the third round in straight sets, beating countrywoman Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-2. In the first round battle of the similar surnames, fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki outclassed Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak 6-4 6-2.

In a mixed day for Britain's hopes, former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic proved too good for Katie O'Brien as the eighth seed secured a 6-2 6-2 second round win, but Elena Baltacha flew the flag high by beating Kateryna Bondarenko in a 6-2 7-5 upset victory.

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