Clijsters reached the final two years ago |
Second seed Kim Clijsters moved into the semi-finals with a routine 6-2 6-1 win over former finalist Conchita Martinez. Though the scoreline suggests otherwise, the 32-year-old Spaniard caused Clijsters problems with her variety of shot.
But she eventually became frustrated at her inability to convert the numerous chances she carved out, particularly in the first set, and Clijsters capitalised.
"I was playing on her best surface and I had to have a lot of patience out there today," said the 19-year-old Clijsters, who turns 20 on Sunday, the day after the women's final.
Clijsters, watched by boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt, broke for a 3-1 lead in the opening set.
SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP Clijsters v Petrova Williams v Henin-Hardenne |
But the Spaniard dug in and broke straight back only to drop her serve yet again as Clijsters moved out to 4-2 and then held.
Martinez, disgusted with her inability to hurt her rival and with 20 unforced errors, hammered her racquet into the clay in frustration.
The Spanish veteran saved triple break point on her opening service game at the start of the second set, Clijsters having first held for 1-0.
But the Belgian began to force the pace once more as she again broke for 3-1, and she made no further errors as she closed out the match.
"I played a good match," said Clijsters.
"I first needed to get used to the kind of game she plays. I was trying to find my position. But once I was under control, I played pretty well."
The Belgian now faces unseeded Russian Nadia Petrova for a place in the final, after she overcame compatriot Vera Zvonareva 6-1 4-6 6-3.
Petrova's more attacking approach eventually paid off against her 18-year-old opponent, who caused the shock of the women's singles on Sunday, beating third seed Venus Williams in the fourth round.
She is the first Russian woman to reach the last four at Roland Garros since Olga Morozova did so in 1975.
"It was a very hard match," said Petrova. "I am so pleased to have won it.
"There was no wasted energy at all - we both went for every point. Of course, as an unseeded player I have nothing to lose."
Zvonareva paid tribute to her opponent after the defeat.
"It wasn't the pressure - Nadia was playing unbelievably good today. I was playing pretty good too, I didn't make many mistakes."
MMIX
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