If the Australian Open was any indication, Justine Henin’s second innings could be better than her first.

By Mridubha Kumar

Watching Justine Henin walk into the Rod Laver Arena for the title clash on Saturday was like Déjà vu. Having vowed never to return to tennis after her retirement in 2008, the Belgian took the world by storm when she announced her comeback to professional tour end of last year.

An emotional wave moved with Henin, as she raced past hurdles, one after another, to the opening Grand Slam final to face an old rival and current world No.1 Serena Williams for the 2010 Australian Open crown. It was power versus class and unbelievably it was the first of its type on a Grand Slam final stage. Stats say, Henin and Serena have never met in a Major final until January 30!

The power-packed Serena thwarted hopes of a fairytale finish for Henin, beating the comeback queen 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to defend her title and increase her Grand Slam count to 12. But, to many tennis fans across the world, the result still remains inconsequential. Instead, it has left us wondering and wishing every women's final should be of this caliber.

Two hours and seven minutes of exciting action, that was more than mere exhausting rallies. When Henin, time and again, came to the net to dictate points, against an opponent of Serena's strength, women's tennis had once again lifted itself up.

A relaxed Henin made Serena look nervous. It's not often we see the American Major Queen a little rattled, that too on the final day. Perhaps that was indication enough of the threat the Belgian still poses.

With such a convincing start to 2010, can the 27-year-old Henin add to the comebacks in women's tennis that have defied all odds?

Kim Clijsters' US Open triumph last year, when she became the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong in 1980 set the trend for Belgian treats at Majors.

That historic moment, in a way renewed Henin's hunger for a Wimbledon title, the only Slam to have eluded her. And when Roger Federer snatched the elusive trophy at Roland Garros in May last year, it was game on for Henin.

Another big name who marked a famous comeback was former No.1 Martina Hingis. Injuries forced the youngest Grand Slam champion to retire in 2002, but the Swiss returned again in 2006. Her second stint, however, was not so fruitful except for a mixed doubles title at the Aussie Open. After climbing to world No.6 on the charts, winning three singles titles, Hingis, soon hung up her racquets again in 2007.

In 2009, Kimiko Date Krumm also made a stunning return at the age of 38. Date beat several top players in the run for her first title in 12 years, late last year.

But seeing Henin's excellence on court, it might be a bigger story altogether. The top players now know they can't rest easy. The next Major is at Roland Garros, Henin's very own backyard. Four of her seven Major titles were won on the red clay at the French Open. From there, it's Mission Wimbledon. Will Henin's thirst for a Wimbledon crown be quenched? By the looks of it, that shall not be too far away.