TENNIS:Justine Henin extended her unbeaten run to 28 matches with a 4-6 6-2 6-4 win over Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Sydney International yesterday.

The world number one came back after losing the opening set and later trailing 3-0 in the third to capture her 40th career title and enhance her claims as favourite to win the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne next week.

Henin is now unbeaten since her loss to Marion Bartoli in the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year and has won 16 of her 18 clashes with Kuznetsova, including last year's US Open final.

"That's the kind of match that I really needed before the Open," Henin said. "I think this was perfect. She really pushed me to my limits tonight."

Second-ranked Kuznetsova looked to have the match under control when she broke Henin's serve and held her own to lead 3-0 in the deciding set but managed just one of the next seven games as Henin raised her level.

"I had some chances and maybe I was too aggressive, but she definitely beat me," Kuznetsova said. "I've been working hard and I think I'm getting closer to her. She has more experience being there, but I'm trying my best and I work hard every day."

Henin's victory looms as a good omen for her prospects at the Australian Open. She won Sydney in 2004 and 2006 and went on to reach the final at Melbourne both times, winning in 2004 but losing in 2006 but missed the tournament last year.