Tennis-Open-Favourite Henin wary of Kuznetsova

PARIS, June 9 (Reuters) Justine Henin-Hardenne will block out her impressive record against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova tomorrow when she attempts to defend her crown in the French Open final.

The Belgian, also a winner in 2003, is aiming to join Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles as the only women to have won back-to-back titles on Parisian clay in the professional era.

The former world number one is also looking to become the first player since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1994 to win the tournament without dropping a set.

Everything suggests fifth seed Henin-Hardenne has what it takes to lift the Roland Garros trophy for the third time.

In 11 meetings against the 2004 US Open champion, Henin-Hardenne has lost only once.

The duo clashed in the fourth round here last year and Henin-Hardenne managed to save two match points before subduing the Russian 7-6 4-6 7-5.

The Belgian, however, refused to get carried away.

''We have never met in this kind of situation, in a grand slam final. So the record does not mean anything,'' she told a news conference today.

''She is back at her best, at the same level as when she won the US Open.

''She is very powerful. When she has her back to the wall she is able to turn a lot of situations around.'' MELBOURNE MEMORY Kuznetsova has displayed remarkable mental resilience to reach the second grand slam final of her career.

Trailing 7-5 5-4 against Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova in her semi-final, the eighth seed clawed back to win in three sets.

She was also 5-1 down against Dinara Safina in the previous round when she stepped up a gear to thrash her compatriot 7-6 6-0.

Henin-Hardenne, who had declared before the tournament that she was in the form of her life, believes her claycourt skills are a major asset.

''The most important thing is that even when I am not at my best, I play well on the important points,'' said the 24-year-old.

Having quit midway through the Australian Open final in January against Amelie Mauresmo with stomach problems, the defending champion added she would have extra motivation to succeed in Paris.

''It was a hard moment in my career. I have yet to bury it.

Tomorrow I will have the chance to do it,'' said the world number five, who will win her fifth major title if she overcomes Kuznetsova.

The Russian, however, has no intention of handing Henin-Hardenne the title on a platter.

''I am going to play the toughest player you can play on claycourt,'' said Kuznetsova.

''I see that every time I play her I improve. Yes, she did win the last matches but I won once and I know it's possible.

''It is very hard but not impossible. This is something I try to think of.'' REUTERS PR KN2214