Betfair.net

Justine Henin remains on course to do precisely what compatriot Kim Clijsters did back in September and win a Grand Slam at her first attempt after taking time out from the game. Her 7-5 7-6 (8-6) win over fifth seed Elena Dementieva was far from easy though and she will need to improve, particularly when it comes to serving, if she is to go all the way.

The Russian was the slight favorite going into the match given her impressive early season form, which included a win over Serena Williams in the final of Sydney last week. And the market seemed to have got things right as Henin faced set points in the first set, drifting to 2.8 (+180) for the match and 4.2 (+320) to win in straight sets. But you don't become a multiple Grand Slam winner without being able to deliver on pressure points and the little Belgian somehow managed to wrap up the first set before winning the second in a tie-break as both players struggled to hold serve.

Henin will face Alisa Kleybanova in the third round and then the winner of Sara Errani or another Belgian, Yanina Wickmayer, in the fourth round if she can overcome Kleybanova. Assuming all goes to plan, Henin would then face the aforementioned Klijsters in the quarters, a match viewed by many as decisive to find this year's winner. Clijsters is the more fancied of the two to go all the way at odds of 4.4 (+340) to Henin's 5.2 (+420).

One thing is for sure, the return of the Belgian duo from retirement has given the women's game a massive boost and in the process made this year's edition of the Australian Open one of the most open for years.