Dulko denies Henin another dream run

Dulko denies Henin another dream run

Justine Henin, whose return to tennis has so far yielded two finals appearances in two tournaments – including a Grand Slam runner-up finish – won’t have another dream run here.

Argentina’s Gisela Dulko defeated the former world number one 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 on Friday to reach the third round of the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament, an event Henin won in 2004 and in which Dulko has never made it past the quarter-finals.

“It feels great – I don’t think I can talk right now I’m so excited,” said Dulko, ranked 37th in the world and seeded 31st here. “She’s an unbelievable champion.”

Henin became the first woman to hang up her racquet while still the top ranked player in the world in May 2008, citing fatigue.

But in a spectacular return, she reached the Australian Open final in her first Grand Slam tournament on the comeback trial, losing to current world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.