Clijsters last won the Diamond Games tournament in 2004

The fifth seeded Russian took the first set 7-5, but won just three more games as Clijsters moved up a gear to take the next two sets 6-1 6-2.

Clijsters will now face Amelie Mauresmo in Sunday's final, after the French star won in straight sets.

Mauresmo, the Australian Open champion and number two seed, beat Nadia Petrova 6-4 7-5, for her 14th victory in a row.

Clijsters, who retired from the Australian Open semi-finals with a twisted ankle, was delighted with her performance, despite not feeling 100 per cent fit.

I'm very happy to be in another Antwerp final Amelie Mauresmo

"It's a miracle, I am so happy with my game," she said.

"I was not aggressive enough in the first set and I did not take advantage, but after that I put her under pressure."

It was Clijsters' ninth victory against Dementieva in 11 meetings.

In her semi-final, Mauresmo slipped to 5-3 down in the second set, before putting together a run of four straight games to book her date with Clijsters.

"I'm satisfied with my game, it's getting better," Mauresmo said. "I'm very happy to be in another Antwerp final."