Belgium's Justine Henin thrashed third seed Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2 on Friday to reach the final of her first tournament since coming out of an 18-month retirement.
Henin, granted a wildcard to play this week's Brisbane International, was ruthless as she disposed of the glamorous Serb in just 65 minutes.
She will now play either compatriot Kim Clijsters or German Andrea Petkovic as she bids to complete a remarkable comeback and win her 42nd title on the WTA tour.
Henin, who retired from the sport in May 2008, looked as though she'd never been away against an increasingly dispirited Ivanovic.
There were no signs of any of the rustiness she displayed in her three-set win over Melinda Czink in Thursday's quarter-finals as she broke Ivanovic three times in both sets.
And while Ivanovic, like Henin a former world number one, was able to break the Belgian's serve in each set, Henin came back even harder to break back almost immediately and underline her complete dominance.
"I'm in the final of my first tournament back -- it's a great feeling," Henin said.
"It's a surprise of course, because it's not as easy as it may seem, because 18 months with no competition is not that easy.
"I didn't really know what to expect (coming into the tournament) but it's more than I could have expected, being in the final."
Henin said her good form here did not change her expectations heading into both the Sydney International beginning next week and the Australian Open the week after.
"I have to remember this is my first tournament back in 18 months so if someone told me before coming to Australia that I would be in the final of my first tournament I would be happy.
"It's a nice feeling but it doesn't have to change my expectations.
"Every time I walk on the court I give it my best and today was better than yesterday.
"It's tennis -- sometimes it's better, sometimes it's harder and your opponent wants the same thing.
"It's a tough job."
Friday's semi-final was far harder for Ivanovic, who would have re-entered the top 20 if she had won the tournament.
"It's very disappointing, I started quite well and had my chances," she said.
"All through most of the match I had chances... but it was a constant fight for intensity and I felt there were lots of ups and downs in my game today and obviously against a player like her you have to keep the level up."

Belgium's Justine Henin thrashed third seed Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2 on Friday to reach the final of her first tournament since coming out of an 18-month retirement

Henin crushes Ivanovic to reach final in her comeback meet

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Henin crushes Ivanovic to reach final in her comeback meet

Henin crushes Ivanovic to reach final in her comeback meet

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