Tennis: Henin rallies for three-set victory

Third-seed Justine Henin of Belgium came from a set down to beat Maja Matevzic 5-7 6-4 6-4 in the second round of the Pacific Life Open.

Henin played inconsistently against the left-hander from Slovenia, hitting 47 winners but making 59 unforced errors along with nine double faults.

But Matevzic was unable to capitalize on several opportunities to take control of the match and ultimately paid the price.

She was 15-40 up on Henin's serve in the sixth game of the second set, but couldn't get the service break that would have given her a 4-2 lead.

Then, in the ninth game of the third set, Matevzic failed to hold service after being up 40-0. Henin followed by serving out the match to love.

"I was nervous at that point," said the 21-year-old Matevzic. "I wasn't attacking. I should have done something more. I was too passive."

Henin was also given a helping hand when her shot tipped the top of the net and ricocheted past Matevzic for a service break in the ninth game of the second set. That gave Henin a 5-4 lead and she held serve at 15 to even the match.

Elsewhere, seventh seed Silvia Farina Elia of Italy struggled to a 6-4 3-6 6-4 win over Evie Dominikovic of Australia, and eighth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia eliminated Amy Frazier 6-3 1-6 6-3.

The only upset came when Cara Black of Zimbabwe beat 23rd-seed Cristina Torrens Valero of Spain 6-4 6-1.