Champion Henin says in best form of her life

PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne says she has played the best tennis of her life in the run-up to the French Open starting tomorrow.

Henin-Hardenne, seeded fifth at Roland Garros, lost in the Berlin final 4-6 6-4 7-5 to Russian Nadia Petrova but the defeat proved to the Belgian she could repeat her Paris triumph.

''In Berlin, except for the last two sets, I played the best tennis of my career,'' the Belgian said yesterday.

Henin-Hardenne, who thrashed world number one Amelie Mauresmo 6-1 6-2 in the semi-final in the German capital, says she is fully fit.

She pulled out of the Australian Open final against Mauresmo because of an upset stomach and has suffered a number of injuries and illnesses over the past two years.

''I'm as well prepared as I was last year, although I played fewer matches on clay than last season,'' Henin-Hardenne said.

''I'm coming here in good condition.

''I said I wanted a sort of consistent season without injuries, no ups and downs. But now maybe I'm changing a little bit - I want strong moments.'' Henin-Hardenne takes on Estonian Maret Ani in the first round before starting an assault course of top claycourters.

She faces a likely fourth-round match-up against 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina followed by a possible quarter-final against another Russian, third seed Nadia Petrova, who has won her last three claycourt tournaments.

''Petrova is a player who has won a lot lately. She's very confident. Also she dares to play her game on clay,'' said Henin-Hardenne.

''But besides myself, the player I fear the most is Ani because the first round is the most important match.

''You can't see too far ahead. You have to keep thinking of your first match.'' ''Now what I have to do is manage my emotions. This is always the most complicated for me here,'' Henin-Hardenne said.

REUTERS PG PM1415