Mauresmo, Sharapova join Henin-Hardenne in semis

MADRID, Nov 10 (Reuters) Holder Amelie Mauresmo and in-form Maria Sharapova enjoyed contrasting wins as they booked their semi-final places at the WTA Championships today.

Mauresmo dug deep to battle back from a set and a break down to beat already-qualified Justine Henin-Hardenne 4-6 7-6 6-2, while world number two Sharapova produced another ruthless display to blow away fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1 6-4.

''I was very happy and proud about the reaction I had,'' said Mauresmo who lost her opening round-robin match to Nadia Petrova but came from a set down to beat Martina Hingis yesterday.

''After the first match a few days ago I didn't think I would be here,'' added the Frenchwoman.

US Open champion Sharapova, who extended her winning streak to 19, tops the red group and will play Henin-Hardenne, her rival for the year-end number one spot, in the semis.

Sharapova must beat the French Open champion and win the final to deprive the Belgian of finishing the year top of the rankings.

Another Belgian, former world number one Kim Clijsters, meets the winless Elena Dementieva in her final round-robin match later today as she looks to clinch the remaining place in the last four of a tournament she won in 2002 and 2003.

Mauresmo beat Henin-Hardenne in the Wimbledon final and the Australian Open and once again got the better of the Belgian, who only returned to action this week after a two-month lay-off following a calf injury sustained in the Fed Cup final.

UPPER HAND The pair exchanged breaks early in the opening set before Henin-Hardenne gained the upper hand as she used heavy top spin to pin her opponent to the baseline and take the set 6-4.

The second set began along similar lines as the players traded early breaks but this time Mauresmo held firm and squared the match when she took the tiebreak 7-3.

Mauresmo found another gear in the third as Henin-Hardenne started to flag, breaking in the third and seventh games, and made just one unforced error as she wrapped up the set 6-2.

''I have two grand slam titles under my belt now and that has helped me a lot,'' said Mauresmo. ''It gives me the confidence that I can go on to great things.'' Sharapova continued her imperious progress as she blasted past Kuznetsova, who beat her in straight sets the last time they met this season in April's Miami final.

But the 19-year-old was clearly in no mood to risk a repetition of that defeat as she broke to love in the opening game and then raced through the set in just 22 minutes.

Kuznetsova managed to put the brakes on in the second and even broke the Sharapova serve but it was still not enough to stop her opponent running out a comfortable winner.

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