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WORLD SPORT

Henin/Kuznetsova in final showdown

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Finalist Kuznetsova was let off the hook by her Czech teenage rival

PARIS, France -- Belgian defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne ruined Kim Clijsters's birthday when she outclassed her compatriot 6-3 6-2 to reach the final of the French Open on Thursday.

Henin-Hardenne, seeded fifth, will face eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in Saturday's final after the Russian stormed back to defeat choking Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova 5-7 7-6 6-2.

The Belgian now has the chance to become the first player since Spain's Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1994 to win the tournament without dropping a set.

Clijsters, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday on centre court, could have taken over from France's Amelie Mauresmo at the top of the WTA rankings if she had won.

She was, however, simply no match for Henin-Hardenne, who used her claycourt skills to put an end to her opponent's dreams of winning the title.

"I have tried to do my best," said Clijsters, twice a finalist at Roland Garros. "She plays very, very well, she is the best player on clay."

Henin-Hardenne, who won the tournament in 2003 and 2005, saved two break points on her first two service games before breaking decisively in the eighth and wrapping up the set with an ace.

The former world number one benefited from Clijsters's double fault in the third game of the second set to convert her fifth break chance.

She claimed her opponent's serve a final time in the seventh and finished her job with a service winner.

"I have tried to put a maximum of pressure from the start," said Henin-Hardenne.

"I served well, it was essential. I did not shiver in the key moments. I forced her into rallies and I know she does not like that.

"Now I really have to stay focused because there is another big match on Saturday. It's quite something as I can win my third Roland Garros."

The 17-year-old Vaidisova, who knocked out world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams on her way to the last four, controlled her match for almost two sets.

She served for the match at 5-4 in the second before suffering a dramatic collapse and it is Kuznetsova who faces either holder Justine Henin-Hardenne or Kim Clijsters.

Vaidisova had never been beyond round four of a grand slam before and a stream of unforced errors allowed eighth seed Kuznetsova to win the second set tiebreak 7-5 and then rattle through the decider.

"I think I benefited from my experience," said the 20-year-old Kuznetsova who sealed victory with an ace.

"I've played more often on centre court than she has and I knew it was possible to turn the match around."

Vaidisova's forehand power troubled Kuznetsova from the start but the stocky Russian scurried doggedly at the baseline and led 5-3 in the first set.

The Czech, however, won the longest rally of the match with a backhand winner to reach break point, provoking an unexpected roar from the centre court spectators.

The tall teenager seemed in control of her emotions and on course for victory after breaking in the first game of the second set.

When she served for the match at 5-4, however, her game fell apart. After successive forehand errors Vaidisova double-faulted to lose her service.

In the tiebreak Kuznetsova led 4-1 before Vaidisova fought back to 5-5. However another over-hit forehand gave Kuznetsova set point and a similarly over-cooked backhand allowed the Russian to level the match.

Kuznetsova scented blood and broke at the start of the second set. Another unforced error left the Czech scratching the clay with her racket court in dismay and suddenly she was 3-0 down and on the way out.

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