Henin and Clijsters meet again in Paris

PARIS, June 8 (Reuters) Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne continues her quest for a third French Open crown with an all-Belgian semi-final against twice finalist Kim Clijsters today.

Henin-Hardenne, probably the tour's best clay-court player, also aims to become the sixth player in the professional era to win Roland Garros without dropping a set, and the first since Spain's Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1994.

Henin-Hardenne, who has yet to be really tested on the Paris clay, will face her toughest challenge of the tournament with a repeat of the final she won in 2003 against Clijsters, who also lost in 2001 to American Jennifer Capriati.

Clijsters will be celebrating her 23rd birthday on centre court.

In the top part of the draw, Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova, who knocked out world number one Amelie Mauresmo and former world number one Venus Williams en route to the semi-finals, will face hard-hitter Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

REUTERS AY RK1025