Henin exits as comeback crushed in California desert

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INDIAN WELLS - Justine Henin’s return to tennis stalled Friday with a second-round loss at the Indian Wells Masters as Argentine Gisela Dulko carved out a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 upset.

Henin, who reached the final of the Australian Open six weeks ago, had not come to California with huge expectations.

But her ouster in two hours in a match containing 17 double-faults between the pair was unexpected against the number-37 Argentine who lost her only previous meeting with 2004 Indian Wells winner Henin.

The Belgian trailed 1-4 in the final set before three breaks of serve in succession to put her back in possible contention. But Dulko held on to advance against the winner of 26 hardcourt titles.

Second-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki, at 19 the only teenager in the top 10, was forced into a comeback to stop American Vania King 5-7, 6-2.

Wozniacki was able to overcome a 4-1 deficit in her third set to escape.

“I was just telling myself, ‘It’s not over yet’,” said the US Open finalist. “She still has two more games before she wins the match.

“I stepped it up a little bit at that point, and she got a little bit more nervous as well. I just kept hanging in there, and that was the clue.”

Fourth seed Elena Dementieva, playing the event for the eighth time, beat Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 while Polish fifth seed Agnieskwa Radwanska advanced as Russian Anna Chakvetadze retired injured trailing 6-2, 5-3.

Russian 16th seed Nadia Petrova put out Swiss Patty Schnyder 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal will tempt fate as he prepares to return to tennis after six weeks out injured, with the Spaniard confirming that his crowded spring clay schedule will remain the same as always.

“My schedule is the same like every year: Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid and Roland Garros,” said Nadal, as he prepares to defend his title in the Californian desert from this weekend.

The four-time French Open winner, now ranked third in the world after months of injury interruptions, has been warned by doctors and coaches that his extraordinary athletic and aggressive style is taking a toll on his 23-year-old body.

But the King of Clay, who lost his first-ever career match at Roland Garros last spring after four consecutive titles, just cannot give up the events that he loves.

“We will see what happens. I really don’t want to change if it’s possible. I like to play in Barcelona. It’s (an) important tournament for me. I love Monte Carlo, I love Rome, and I love Roland Garros.

“I want to come back here (on hardcourt). I don’t want to wait until clay court season. I’m focussed on this tournament and focussed on every tournament.”

Nadal begins his event on Saturday after a bye, facing German Rainer Schuettler.

Argentine David Nalbandian continued his return after 2009 hip surgery with a defeat of Austrian Stefan Koubek 6-2, 7-6 (7-2). Unseeded American James Blake beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain 6-3, 6-2.

The event was to be highlighted in the evening by Hit for Haiti 2, an exhibition doubles-showcase featuring Roger Federer, Nadal, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi on the men’s side and Henin, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Lindsay Davenport.

The effort expands on an initiative that Federer organised on the day before the start of the Australian Open.

The Indian Wells tournament, now owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, expects to raise at least one million dollars for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.