Belgium's Kim Clijsters reacts while playing a semifinal match against compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Thursday June 8, 2006 (Xinhua photo)

    PARIS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne eased into the French Open final with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win over Belgian compatriot Kim Clijsters on Thursday.

    The fifth seed will now face Svetlana Kuznetsova in Saturday's final after the Russian had earlier rallied from a set and a breakdown to defeat Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 in the other semi-final.

    Second-seeded Clijsters looked uncharacteristically out of form,and Henin capitalized to reach her third French Open final.

    Despite having to save two break points in her first two service games, Henin rallied back and broke decisively in the eighth game of the first set, before taking the set with an ace.

    Clijsters looked in real trouble on the center court, as her serve failed again in the third game of the second set, a double fault gifting Henin the advantage.

    And the former world number one went on to break for a final time in the seventh game of the second set before serving out to take the set to two and the match with it.

    Clijsters, who was celebrating her 23rd birthday on Thursday, had talked of Henin's status as the best player on clay before the semifinal, and afterwards, her opinion was no different.

    "I have tried to do my best," said Clijsters, twice a finalist at Roland Garros. "She plays very, very well, she is the best player on clay." Enditem