Former World No 1 Justine Henin, who is making her comeback after 20 months of retirement, defied a spirited fight put up by Hungarian Melinda Czink and prevailed 6-2 3-6 7-6 at the Brisbane International on Wednesday.

The Belgian dominated the things in the first set and closed it 6-2 in just 31 minutes of play.
However Czink bounced back in the second set and levelled the match score at 1-all.

Henin failed to capitalise on four match poins in the 12th game and missed another two chances in the third set tie breaker before she somehow clinched the victory.

"That's the kind of match that I need, not that long maybe," said Henin  "It's a perfect preparation for me."

She now faces Ana Ivanovic in the semi-finals after the Serbian beat Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 7-6.   

On her upcoming clash with the Serbian, Henin said "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"

In another closely fought match, 2009 U.S Open champion Kim Clijsters overcame a second set deficit to beat Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic 6-1 0-6 6-4.

"When I lost that set 6-0 I said 'forget about it' and I just refocused," Clijsters said. "She's beaten a lot of good players in the past so coming out here I knew I was in for a tough match."

Clijsters will play Andrea Petkovic for the place in the final after the German scored a easy 6-4 6-2 victory over fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.