• Australian Open, Day 13

Henin happy with near-perfect comeback

ESPN staff
January 30, 2010
Justine Henin has enjoyed the taste of victory in Melbourne © Getty Images
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Justine Henin has been left hungry for success after her defeat in the Australian Open final to world No. 1 Serena Williams.

In just her 12th competitive match after 18 months away from the sport, Henin took four-time champion Williams to three sets, but in the end the fairytale was not to be, with Williams triumphing 6-4 3-6 6-2 to win her 12th Grand Slam. But Henin insists she exceeded her own expectations and the experience has given her the determination to succeed.

"Of course I'm disappointed," she said. "I mean, when you lose in the final of a Grand Slam, especially in three sets, and I got a few opportunities that I wasn't able to take But this feeling of disappointment cannot take away from all the things I've done in the last few weeks. And it's just more than what I could expect; I just have to remember that.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of positive things I can think about in a few days. It's been almost perfect; just the last step, I couldn't make it. I didn't know really what to expect. I was ready to live, like I said, the best and the worst."

Williams equalled Billie-Jean King's achievement of 12 Grand Slam titles and admitted she was concerned after losing the second set.

"I thought I just gotta man up, this is my chance, no matter what I've got one more set and I just gotta get through it and I did," Williams told the Seven Network. "I thought I was just giving it to her at that point... I literally said to myself I need to man up and keep playing better."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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