In the lead-up to Brisbane International 2015, we revisit some of the tournament’s most memorable moments in our “Best of Brisbane” series.
It is one of the great rivalries in the modern women’s game – 25 matches over an eight-year timeframe, with eight of these fought out in Grand Slam events. Two gifted Belgians, still regarded as among the most athletic and talented shotmakers to have taken the court, stood toe to toe in the 2010 Brisbane International final. Four years on, this tussle is still regarded among the highest quality and evenly matched in women’s tennis highlights reels. Clijsters had successfully come out of retirement after the birth of her daughter Jada to claim the US Open title the year before. It inspired Henin to make a return of her own. This was her first tournament back and as a wildcard she would go on to stretch Serena Williams to three sets in the final of the Australian Open only weeks later. Clijsters would save two match points before finally sealing it in a third-set tiebreak after four match points of her own. The moment was not lost on this sold out Pat Rafter Arena crowd. They had witnessed an almighty showdown between two of the greats in this final.
Re-live highlights of the match below: