Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne advance in sizzling conditions

Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne have booked themselves a date for Saturday’s womens singles final after overcoming their respective opponents under the respite of the roof at Rod Laver Arena today.

Henin-Hardenne progressed to her sixth Grand Slam final after defeating Russian fourth seed, Maria Sharapova 4-6 6-1 6-4 in over two hours of energy sapping tennis on a day in which temperatures on the outside courts reached over 40 degrees.

The win, has sent Henin-Hardenne through to her second successive Australian Open final after being unable to defend her 2004 title through injury last year.

In a tight contest throughout the match, Henin-Hardenne slowly overcame Sharapova by pouncing on her weaker second serve. Winning 64% of points in the third set off Sharapova’s second serve. Every missed first serve saw Sharapova lose more and more confidence, until Sharapova was broken in what turned out to be the final game of the match, and sent her packing from the tournament.

Mauresmo on the other hand, progressed through to her second Australian Open final after newly crowned World number 1 Kim Clijsters had to forfeit after twisting her right ankle on the hard surface in the third set to see the score 5-7 6-2 3-2 in Mauresmo’s favour.

It was an unfortunate way for the match to end with the result poised so delicately at the time of Clijster’s injury.

Saturday’s final between Henin-Hardenne and Mauresmo will be the eighth time that these two have met on tour with Henin-Hardenne leading the head to head battle 4-3. The last time these two met was in Toronto on hardcourt which saw Henin-Hardenne win in three sets. The only time these two have met at a Grand Slam tournament however, Mauresmo came away with a straight sets win in the 1999 US Open.

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