It’s Henin vs Kuznetsova

PARIS: Two-time champion Justine Henin-Hardenne stormed into her third final at the French Open on Thursday, defeating long-time rival Kim Clijsters 6-3, 6-2.

The all-Belgian battle levelled the long series at 10 wins apiece, with Clijsters winning their last meeting in a Canadian final last summer.

Henin-Hardenne will play for a trophy hat-trick at Roland Garros against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open winner, who beat Czech Nicole Vaidisova 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

Clijsters failed on two first-set break points and was never really in the brief contest.

A weak return to the net handed over two match points, with Henin-Hardenne producing a service winner to end it.

"I tried to be on form from the start," said the 2003 and 2005 champion at Roland Garros.  "I served well, that was very important."