It was the biggest scare of Justine Henin’s tennis comeback – and the former world No.1 couldn’t have been more grateful.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner scraped past seventh-seeded Hungarian Melinda Czink 6-2 3-6 7-6(5) in an epic Brisbane International quarterfinal on Thursday.
In her first tournament since May 2008, Henin still looked rusty as she let a 4-1 lead in the third set slip before finally holding off the world No.37.
She closed out the two hour, 21 minute thriller when she converted her sixth match point.
And there’s no relief in sight for the 27-year-old Belgian – she meets former No.1 Ana Ivanovic in a semifinal on Friday morning.
But it was still hard to wipe the smile off Henin’s face on Thursday night.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Australian Open, Henin said the scrap was just what she needed to fine tune her game after a 20-month layoff.
“That’s the kind of match that I need – not that long maybe,” Henin laughed.
“It’s a perfect preparation for me.
“It’s exciting to be able to play so many good matches and now Ana – that is the kind of match that I love, it’s a great feeling.”
Despite the opening set beginning with five straight service breaks, Henin claimed it in a brisk 31 minutes.
But she looked in trouble after Czink took the second set and broke the Belgian’s first service game in the third.
Henin reeled off the next four games to lead 4-1, but when she double faulted to be broken again, the third set was suddenly back on serve.
Czink, 27, dug deep to save three match points in the 11th game to push the third set into a tiebreak.
She saved another two in the tiebreak before Henin clinched the match with an impressive cross-court forehand to keep her comeback on track.
“At the start of the third set I realised I would have to fight very much in order to win – and I did it,” Henin said.
She has little time to back up against Ivanovic, who downed Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 7-6 (8-6) earlier on Thursday.
“I came here to play matches and that’s what I have done so I have no complaints,” Henin said.
“I don’t have much rest between matches that is for sure, the scheduling is a little strange but I am ready for this.”
Ivanovic – in her first tournament in four months – looked forward to testing herself against Henin.
“It would be awesome to play against such a champion,” Ivanovic said.
“She seems to be in good shape, and match after match I have been much more confident – I think it is going to be a great one.”
Earlier, fourth-seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova was upset 6-4 6-2 by 20-year-old German Andrea Petkovic in their quarter-final.
Petkovic will play the winner of Thursday night’s quarterfinal between Kim Clijsters and Czech Lucie Safarova.
In the other women’s quarterfinal played today, fourth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova was ousted by surprise packet Andrea Petkovic.
The 22-year-old Russian upset eighth seed Iveta Benesova in the first round and will now meet the winner out of tonight’s match between top seed Kim Clijsters and Lucie Safarova.
In the men’s quarterfinals, defending champ Radek Stepanek is the first male through to the semis after a 7-6(2) 6-1win over American Wayne Odesnik.