Lleyton Hewitt made it past Ruben Bemelmans 6-4, 6-3 as Australia beat Belgium 2-1 at the Hopman Cup.
Earlier today, Henin gave Belgium the first point by beating Alicia Molik 6-4, 6-4.
In the last match of the day,, Hewitt teamed with Molik to defeat Henin and Bemelmans 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8) in the mixed-doubles decider of the Group A match.
Hewitt, who's last singles match was in September also against Bemelmans during Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Belgium, expected to take confidence from Saturday’s win ahead of the Australian Open which starts in Melbourne on Jan. 17.
Hewitt broke in the last game of the first set to win it 6-4 and the second remained on serve until Hewitt went up 5-3 when he was able to again a break and he served out the match in the next game.
"It's always tough the first match of the year. Especially, it doesn't matter how many practice sets you play out there, getting that match toughness back isn't easy. He was actually the last bloke that I played last year; it was nice to beat him in the Davis Cup now playing for Australia here at the Hopman Cup in Perth as well," Hewitt said.
"I'm just happy to get through in straight sets being down break points and getting out of those situations, that's stuff you can't buy. He's a difficult opponent, he's a big ball striker and his backhand's improved since I played him in the Davis Cup last time.
"It's good to wake up and be injury free, it feels like it's been a long time and at the end of the day the way I see it is, it gives me the best opportunity to go out there and perform. If I work my butt off in the off-season and do all the hard work and I feel like I've done that. I tried not to leave any stone unturned."
Source Ap/Hopman Cup website
