This week’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has seen two highly anticipated returns. One was that of World No. 3 Dinara Safina, who is finally back on court since having to retire against Maria Kirilenko at the Australian Open in January with a recurrence of a back injury. The tournament in Stuttgart is also the first clay court event in the comeback tour of four-time Roland Garros Champion Justine Henin.In yesterday’s match against Szavay, Safina quickly found herself down 1-4 with a double break, but managed to fight back to take the first set in a tiebreak. After losing the second set 3-6, her shots found their marks again in the third, which she dominated, 6-0. Today, Safina started where she left off yesterday, racing to a 3-1 lead in the first set, with a chance to get to 4-1. But with fellow hard-hitter Peer improving her level of play, Safina seemed to get tight and started missing the lines, especially on crucial points. She won no more games in the 3-6 set, losing her serve three times on unforced errors.
Shahar Peer capitalized on Safina's lack of match play to reach her fourth semifinal of 2010
Nevertheless, Safina, who turned 24 on Tuesday, is leaving Stuttgart with some good news. “This is the good part that even after a tough match yesterday, today my back was feeling fine. I was actually feeling physically better than yesterday. It is just the lack of matches.”
Justine Henin, who repeatedly pointed out when speaking to media that this is only her fifth tournament back, confirmed the importance of match practice. “It takes time to adjust,” she stated after her Second Round match against Yanina Wickmayer. And, in reference to her then upcoming quarterfinal match against Jelena Jankovic, she added, “I am glad I can play this kind of match and this kind of opportunity is important for me as I look for my confidence back on clay.” The way the match turned out, it seemed she found that missing confidence midway through the second set. In the first, her Serbian opponent had been in control of the match - even more than the score of 6-3 may indicate. Jankovic won the majority of the long rallies, did not face a single break point and won 100 percent of her second serve points. Henin, on the other hand, seemed to go for too much on her returns and her volleys were not sharp enough against a player as quick as Jankovic.
However, in the second and third sets, both the Belgian’s cross-court backhand and forehand shots found the opening in Jankovic’s defense; a final forehand winner sealed the match, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Henin is playing a more aggressive game than before her retirement, which, today, resulted in a mix of startling unforced errors and terrific winners. In her post match interviews, Henin admitted that she has to work on her precision. “I need matches before Paris. I still have to get used to playing on clay again.” But, she seems happy to be back. “I grew up on this surface, I love it. Lots of great memories.” This weekend, she has the chance to add one more.