Henin will use Sydney to prepare for Open

SYDNEY: World No.1 Justine Henin will use the Sydney International as her final lead-up event to next January's Australian Open, tournament organisers said Monday.   

The Belgian finished this year with ten titles, including the Grand Slam double of the US Open and French Open.   

But it started with the disappointment of missing the Australian circuit through personal reasons that led to her marriage break-up, and the star is looking to start 2008 on the right note.    

"I am very excited to be returning to Sydney. As everyone knows the start of 2007 was a very difficult time for me personally and I really missed playing the Australian circuit, but this will make me even more eager to do well in January," Henin said in a statement Monday.   

"I was sad I wasn't in Australia this year and I hope to take my revenge in a few weeks."   

Henin will be chasing her 40th career title at the January 6-12 Sydney International.   

She won the event in 2006 and also in 2004, the year she went on to claim her first and only Australian Open. "I always seem to do well there and this helps me in Melbourne too," she said. "Hopefully, my good luck will continue there in 2008."    

The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on January 14.