Sunday, April 23 2006 12:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne came to Belgium's rescue in their Fed Cup World Group clash with champions Russia after Kim Clijsters had suffered a shattering defeat.

Henin-Hardenne came from a set down to beat Nadia Petrova 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 6-3 after Clijsters had slumped to a demoralising 6-4, 6-3 loss at the hands of Elena Dementieva on the Liege clay courts.

In Saturday's other World Group I first round clashes, last year's runners-up France were 1-1 against Italy at Nancy, the United States had opened up a 2-0 lead over Germany in Ettenheim while Spain were 2-0 ahead of Austria in Valencia.

The ties conclude on Sunday with two reverse singles and a doubles. Clijsters was playing her first match since mid-February and she looked decidedly ring-rusty against Dementieva.

"I don't want to make excuses because I haven't played so many matches and that this was my first match on clay this season," said Clijsters. "I had trained and I was ready."