TENNIS NEWS:US OPEN champion Kim Clijsters is already relishing the prospect of renewing her long rivalry with fellow Belgian Justine Henin.

The pair, both on the comeback trail, could meet as early as this weekend if they reach the final of the Brisbane International and both have kept up their end of the bargain so far.

Henin, playing her first tournament match in 20 months, beat Russia’s Nadia Petrova on Monday night and Clijsters whipped Australia’s Alicia Molik 6-0 6-3 yesterday.

Clijsters needed just 60 minutes to dispose of Molik, who has been her friend since they were teenagers starting out on the junior circuit, but admitted she was already thinking about Henin.

“Those are the matches that you want to do it for,” Clijsters said. “This is why we love to play tennis, for those big matches.”

Clijsters said that although she was not at the courts when Henin was playing, curiosity got the better of her and she watched the match on television.

“On TV it is hard to tell, once you stand in front of her I think you get a better feel,” Clijsters said. “But she was very impressive, I thought. She didn’t look like she had left.”

Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus was made to work much harder than Clijsters in his 7-5 7-5 first-round win over American Mardy Fish.

“It wasn’t my best match but I am happy,” Baghdatis said. “In the off season I worked hard on my fitness. I am quicker, fitter and I am enjoying it.”

Baghdatis will meet Czech Thomas Berdych in the second round after the fourth seed defeated Australia’s Nick Lindahl 6-2 6-4.

American James Blake beat his countryman Sam Querrey 4-6 6-3 6-4, while Australian wildcard Carsten Ball defeated German Mischa Zverev 7-5 6-1 to set up a meeting with top seed Andy Roddick.

In the evening session, third seed Gael Monfils overcame big-serving American Taylor Dent 7-6 (7/1) 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 and Florent Serra saw off German qualifier Julian Reister 6-7 (3/7) 7-6 (7/5) 7-5.

In the women’s draw, former world number one Ana Ivanovic survived a tough three-setter against Timea Bacsinszky. The Serbian dropped the second set but prevailed 6-2 2-6 6-4.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Louk Sorensen crashed out in the first round of the Chennai Open yesterday, losing 6-2 6-1 to France’s Stephane Robert in India.

Sorensen, ranked 293 in the world, had come through as a qualifier, entering the main draw of an ATP event for the first time in three attempts.

But the Frenchman proved too powerful as he blazed his way through the first set.

Robert broke in the third game of the second set, winning on his second break point and broke again in the fifth and seventh games to seal victory.

Spain poised to make Hopman final

SPAIN MOVED to the brink of qualifying for the Hopman Cup final after an injury to Romania’s Victor Hanescu handed them a forfeit win in Perth yesterday.

Hanescu had been hampered by an upper leg injury during his match with Tommy Robredo before deciding to retire after losing the opening set 6-3.

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez had already put the number four seeds ahead after she won the opening rubber against Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-3.

Hanescu, who had struggled with cramp towards the end of his opening match with Lleyton Hewitt on Saturday, called for the trainer after the third game.

The Romanian did not play the mixed doubles with the Australian Open less than a fortnight away.

Spain’s win means they are the only team in Group A with a perfect 2-0 win-loss record and can only miss Saturday’s final if they lose their final tie with top seeds Australia 3-0 tomorrow.

The hosts kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the title decider after they secured a 2-1 win over the United States earlier yesterday.

Australia suffered a shock loss to Romania on the opening day of the tournament but bounced back with Sam Stosur and Hewitt both winning their singles.

Stosur served 14 aces to overpower teenager Melanie Oudin 6-2 6-4 after losing to Cirstea in her opening match.

Former world number one Hewitt was then too strong for John Isne, winning 6-1 7-5.

The Americans, who can now not reach the final, earned some consolation in the mixed doubles which they won in a match tie-breaker 2-6 6-1 10-5.