Williams faces Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals Photos from Roland Garros

Serena Williams had an easier than expected passage into the French Open semi-finals as she powered past Amelie Mauresmo on Phillippe Chatrier court.

French fans had high hopes that Mauresmo could provide Williams with her sternest test yet, but the sixth seed was completely outplayed in a 6-1 6-2 defeat.

The Frenchwoman, who has admitted to nerves in her home Grand Slam before, began her first service game with a double fault and that set the tone for the match.

Williams, by contrast, was in typically dominant mood, compounding Mauresmo's misery with some stunning winners off the ground.

SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP Clijsters v Petrova Williams v Henin-Hardenne Clijsters/Petrova reports

Mauresmo finally found some form at 4-0 down in the second set and when she came close to breaking Williams at 5-2, the French fans finally had something to cheer.

But the world number one quickly shut the door and Mauresmo dumped a backhand into the net to end a poor day at the office.

Gamewatch: Williams v Mauresmo

In their last meeting in Rome, Mauresmo had stunned Williams with a three-set victory and the world number one now faces the only other player to have beaten her this year.

Justine Henin-Hardenne set up another chance to test herself against the top seed with a 6-3 6-2 win over Chanda Rubin.

Williams won her first 21 matches this year before losing to Henin-Hardenne in the final at Charleston in April.