UPDATE 3-Tennis-Safarova sets up Petrova final clash in Paris

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By Julien Pretot

Lucie Safarova's brilliant run at the Paris Open continued when the Czech knocked out top seed Justine Henin 7-6 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final where she will play Nadia Petrova.

The Russian world number five recovered from a set down to snatch a 5-7 6-4 7-6 win over holder Amelie Mauresmo of France.

Unseeded Safarova, who beat compatriot Nicole Vaidisova and world number five Svetlana Kuznetsova in the previous rounds, broke into the limelight at last month's Australian Open.

She knocked out then champion Mauresmo in the fourth round in Melbourne before falling to Vaidisova in the quarter-finals.

"I tried to put her under pressure on every point," Safarova told a news conference referring to Henin.

"I was feeling very good on the court," added the Czech, whose father arrived in Paris on Saturday to watch her play.

Safarova's booming returns put early pressure on Henin's serve but the former world number one's devastating backhand kept her in contention.

The Belgian was playing her third match since her comeback to competitive tennis after a three-month break following a split from her husband.

Henin's previous tournament was the season-ending Tour championships in Madrid last November.

"I played too defensively," said Henin.

"Even when I was leading, I was not playing well. It was very hard for me to read her serve, especially on my backhand side."

BATTLE

Henin broke in the sixth game when Safarova netted an easy forehand and opened a 5-2 lead.

The Czech, however, saved three set points before breaking Henin's serve. Safarova levelled at 5-5 and clinched the set in the tiebreak, which she won 7-5.

Henin broke in the fifth game of the second set as Safarova showed some signs of nerves.

But the Czech stormed back, winning the final four games to wrap up victory in one hour and 39 minutes.

The Paris fans, dreaming of a rematch of the Australian Open fourth round tie between Mauresmo and Safarova, saw their hopes dashed when Petrova wrapped up her win with a powerful return after two hours and 42 minutes.

"It was a great battle today and I am very proud to have won this match," said Petrova. "It's a really great win for me."

"She played very well today," said Mauresmo.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed because I wanted so much to go all the way here in front of this crowd."

Local darling Mauresmo grabbed the first set after 53 minutes on her fourth attempt when Petrova netted a backhand.

After an early exchange of breaks in the second set, Petrova took advantage of her opponent's unforced errors to level the tie.

World number three Mauresmo seemed to have the match under control after opening a 3-0 lead in the final set but Petrova hit back to force the Frenchwoman to a tiebreak.

Mauresmo saved a first match point on Petrova's serve but the Russian claimed victory at the second attempt. ((Editing by Alison Wildey and Ken Ferris, London Sports Desk; Reuters messaging: julien.pretot.reuters.com@reuters.net; +33 1 4949 5370))

Keywords: TENNIS WOMEN/PARIS

[PARIS/Reuters/Finance.cz]