LONDON (AFP) – World number eight Kim Clijsters claimed she is more comfortable at Wimbledon than she has ever been after defeating compatriot Justine Henin to reach the quarter-finals here on Monday.

The Belgian won the battle of the comeback queens, beating Henin 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, to claim a place in the last eight four years after her last appearance at the tournament.

Clijsters last played here in 2006 and had a two-year sabbatical from the sport which ended in spectacular circumstances when she won the US Open 35 days after her return last year.

And Clijsters has her sights set on adding the Wimbledon title to her previous two Grand Slam crowns, both won on the hard courts of New York.

The 27-year-old, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, said: "I have always had a lot of respect and admired Wimbledon as a tournament. But in the past I have never had that same comfortable feeling out there as I did on a hard court in America or at the US Open.

"Since I have come back I feel a lot more comfortable moving-wise. I feel that I am more at ease moving from side to side.

"Especially those first two steps forward which on grass are extremely important, especially against Justine, because she has that slice that drops dead a little bit.

"I felt that on grass I can really step up. I enjoy playing in these kind of conditions - it is a challenge to feel comfortable yourself.

"Knowing that you can last three sets out there on a high level is really important - it is an important feeling to have that you don't have to worry about physically not being able to manage."

Clijsters and Henin have been playing against one another since they were growing up in Belgium and it was Clijsters who claimed temporary bragging rights after coming back from a set down.

Like Clijsters, Henin had an extended break from the game, which lasted 18 months until January and claims she will be more of a force at this tournament next season.

The Belgian needs a Wimbledon title to complete a career Grand Slam after winning once in Australia, four times in France and also triumphing at the US Open.

She said: "One of the reasons I came back was to go after challenges and Wimbledon remains a challenge. I'll have to get better and better.

"This year I am just trying to feel comfortable again. I'm not yet at my top - that will probably take a little more time.

"There have been some positive things in this tournament. I have been very happy to be back and to play here again but it is disappointing to leave this way - I wanted to do better.

"I said before coming here this was a year of transition - so 2011 will be more important for myself."

Henin, nursing an elbow injury, was in charge until early in the second set when the more powerful Clijsters took control.

Henin added: "Kim made a lot of mistakes in the first set and I was really into it. Slowly but surely she started to be more intense and put me under pressure in the second.

"After that I was never really able to come into the court and be in control of the release. I was running after the ball - that wasn't easy."