Justine Henin passes first big test in Australia

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Justine Henin passed the first serious test in her comeback to the Australian Open when she defeated Russia''s Elena Dementieva 7-5 7-6 on Wednesday in a high quality match of unrelenting tension.

Fourth seed Juan Martin del Potro also provided a reminder of the fighting qualities that enabled the towering Argentine to topple Roger Federer in last year''s U.S. Open final when he beat American James Blake 6-4 6-7 5-7 6-3 10-8.

Rafa Nadal erased any lingering concerns about his fitness with an effortless 6-2 6-2 6-2 win over Slovakia''s Lukas Lacko that brought a rare smile to the face of the number two seed after a year plagued by injuries and self doubt.

"I think I did well, no?," the Spaniard told reporters. "I think I played the right way. A very good match, yeah."

Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dinara Safina had no problems booking spots in the third round of the women''s draw while Andy Roddick and Andy Murray did likewise in the men''s.

Henin was inspired by compatriot Clijsters''s fairytale win at last year''s U.S. Open to make a comeback and said Wednesday''s victory over the world number five vindicated her decision.

"I wouldn''t believe I would live these kind of emotions again," she said in a courtside interview. "But the tournament is not over for me yet."

Clijsters, who took a two-year break before returning to the sport last August, was given an easier workout by Thailand''s Tamarine Tanasugarn and was able to raise her game when necessary in a 6-3 6-3 victory while Kuznetsova beat fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-2.

MINOR STUMBLE

They are scheduled to meet in the fourth-round with the winner to play Henin should the trio all keep winning in one of the most open grand slam events in decades.

"This is for real," third seed and French Open champion Kuznetsova said. "This is for what you play for."