Justine Henin is eyeing the career Grand Slam at Wimbledon this year - and it's so far, so good.
Belgian back looking for elusive title to complete major sweep
Justine Henin enjoyed a winning return to Wimbledon on Monday as her bid to complete a career Grand Slam got off to a strong start.
The Belgian, twice a runner-up in SW19 but never the champion, was back at the All England Club for the first time since 2007 when she suffered a shock semi-final loss to Marion Bartoli.
And although Latvian youngster Anastasija Sevastova put up a decent fight, she could not prevent the former world number one posting a 6-4 6-3 win.
Henin spent 20 months in retirement before returning to the WTA Tour at the start of this season, when she cited her desire to win Wimbledon as one of the key factors in her decision.
She stressed that again in her post-match press conference, saying: "It's been one of the reasons for coming back. I don't know if it will happen one day. It remains a dream for me.
"In another way, I'm very realistic as it's a year of transition and I had opportunities in the past that I could never take.
"The pressure of a grand slam is always different, physically and emotionally, and it takes much more from you. But if I can make it one day, it would be an amazing achievement.
Fantastic
"It's the only one I've never won. It would be fantastic and I hope it comes true one day but it is still very early to think about this."
Upon her return to the SW19 lawns, Henin produce a workmanlike display to move safely through.
The winner of a warm-up tournament in Holland at the weekend, the 17th seed broke the Sevastova serve in third game, only to surrender her own delivery tamely straight away.
However, at 4-4 Henin made her class tell, breaking to love and sealing the game with a superb winner on the return of serve.
In the second set, the Belgian was again able to pounce at a key moment.
In the seventh game she forced break point and a firm forehand return forced a mis-hit from Sevastova, who skied the ball to present Henin with an easy smash.
A trademark one-handed backhand winner was the standout shot of the next game as Henin held to love, and another break in the next did for Sevastova, after just 59 minutes on court.
Henin's compatriot Yanina Wickmayer also progressed, although the 15th seed needed three sets to see off the challenge of wild card Alison Riske.
The American had toppled Wickmayer en route to the semi-finals of the recent AEGON Classic in Birmingham, but revenge was taken by the US Open semi-finalist as she won 6-4 5-7 6-3.
