Comeback queen Justine Henin eases to victory in Indian Wells

Former world number one Justine Henin continued her fairytale comeback with a 6-2 6-2 demolition of Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round of the Indian Wells WTA tournament on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Belgian, a dangerous wildcard entry at the desert venue where she won the women's title in 2004, broke her opponent twice in each set to triumph in 68 minutes.

Henin sealed victory with a powerful first serve that forced a wide return by Rybarikova and the Belgian then waved in celebration to the stadium crowd at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. 

"It's a great feeling," a smiling Henin said in a courtside interview after booking her place in the next round against 31st-seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina. 

"2004 seems like a long time ago and it's always special to play in the first round. It's only my third tournament since I came back and I need a lot of matches."

Henin has reached successive finals since returning to the circuit in January after quitting the game in 2008 and she totally outclassed her opponent on a sunny afternoon.