Vengeful Henin-Hardenne sets up Myskina clash

PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne avenged one of her most disappointing defeats today when she dispatched Italian Tathiana Garbin 6-4 6-0 to reach the French Open fourth round.

The Belgian was also defending her crown in 2004 when she lost in a second round upset to Garbin in straight sets but the fifth seed was in an unforgiving mood in fresh, bright conditions this time.

After taking a tight first set by breaking decisively for 5-4, Henin-Hardenne outclassed the 28-year-old Italian with her variation and superior use of the court in the second set. The Belgian sealed the victory with a neat forehand volley.

She will face 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina of Russia in the fourth round. The 10th seed, who has talked about retiring if her form does not improve this year, skipped past Serbian Ana Ivanovic 6-2 6-3.

Men's defending champion Rafael Nadal will try to celebrate his 20th birthday with a 56th consecutive claycourt victory when he faces French hopeful Paul-Henri Mathieu for a place in the last 16.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt, the 14th seed, plays Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty for the right to face the winner of Nadal's match.

Like Nadal, James Blake will have to quell French fervour on centre court. The last American in the men's singles plays 19-year-old Gael Monfils.

Women's second seed Kim Clijsters tackles Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues and 12th seed Martina Hingis faces Ivana Lisjak of Croatia.

Reuters PM GC1628