Australian Open 2012 live stream

I suppose we should not really be surprised, but, hey, it is still a heck of a story.

For the second Grand Slam running, we have an unranked woman in the final. For the second Grand Slam running, we have a woman fresh out of retirement powering through to the draw to the last round. And for the second Grand Slam running, we have a woman who, when she quit, promised that she would never return; she had had enough; tennis was no longer a part of her life. And then she comes back and wallops everyone.

Justine Henin will step, slightly stunned and slightly bemused, into Rod Laver Arena on Saturday in an attempt to win her eighth major title. This is only her second tournament since she came back to the hurly-burly of the tour, and just a month ago, she had no idea what to expect when she started to play. But round by round here, she has fallen back in to the old routine – she has fought, battled and scrapped when she needed to and then, when the opportunity presented itself, she has dominated when she could. It seems like old times.

After a long road to get this far, Henin had an easy run into the final as she absolutely clobbered Zheng Jie 6-1 6-0. Her dream had come true: she was one step away from another major trophy.

But now she must beat Serena Williams, the champion, if she is actually to get her hands on the cup. And Williams in a Grand Slam final is a terrifying prospect to behold. The world No.1 had a tougher day on court on Thursday as Li Na did everything within her power to stop Williams in her tracks – but it was not quite enough, and the champion roared through to defend her title 7-6(4) 7-6(1).

Williams has been slowly disappearing under a cloak of bandages as the tournament has gone along. Her right thigh has been heavily strapped throughout, but now her left knee is decked out in tape and, at times, she did seem to be struggling against Li. Not that her physical condition matters much to Williams; if there is a major title to be fought for, she is willing to battle on one leg to claim it.

Despite their years on the tour together, the two great champions have never met in the final of a major tournament before. They have run into each other 13 times – with Williams just tipping the balance with seven wins to six – but Saturday’s showdown will be a first in a Grand Slam decider. Henin can hardly wait.

“We've never played in a Grand Slam final in the past,” Henin said. “It's my first Grand Slam since I'm back, and we're already there. So it's more than a dream. I mean, I'm so happy to play against her because if I want to win another Grand Slam, I'll have to beat the best player of the world. And that's just the biggest challenge I could get. I have to be honest, I didn't really expect that. But now that's a reality that is coming.”

While Henin was chatting happily with the press, Williams was back on court, putting her sore legs through the wringer again in the doubles with sister Venus. But however tired or hurt Williams may be, Henin is taking nothing for granted. She knows her rival of old, and she is expecting a ferocious battle on Saturday.

“I have a lot of respect for who she is, what she did,” Henin said. “She is a real champion. She proved it again in this tournament. Has been in trouble, and she had the reaction of the greatest champions. A real fighter. Never gives up. And I think she really helped the game to come at another level and she really helped women's tennis a lot. She's still there with an amazing attitude.

“I think we respect each other a lot for that. We're both real fighters. We want to win. And I think maybe we helped each other to get better.”

The Australian Open could not have asked for a better women’s final. Of all the great champions on the tour, these two are the toughest mentally and physically. Neither is prepared to give an inch, and neither will admit to the possibility of defeat. The fairytale of Henin’s return is just the extra icing on the cake. Oh, yes, it seems like old times indeed.