Stunning Safarova sets up Henin clash in Paris

PARIS, Feb 9 (Reuters) Czech Lucie Safarova stunned world number five Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-3 6-4 to set up a semi-final clash with Belgium's Justine Henin at the Paris Open today.

Former world number one Henin, returning to competitive tennis after a three-month break for personal reasons, outlasted Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin 6-2 3-6 6-3.

Top seed Henin, who had played her last competitive match when she won the season-ending Tour championships in Madrid on Nov 12, started brightly.

She played very aggressive tennis to break twice and seemed on track for an easy win after wrapping up the first set in 30 minutes.

The 19-year-old Golovin fought back however, making the best of her sole break opportunity in the second set to take a 4-2 lead and level the tie with a fine crosscourt forehand.

Henin then found her way to the net and despite Golovin saving three break points, the Belgian sealed the victory in one hour and 57 minutes on her first match point.

''It is the way I have to play. When I stay on the baseline, it does not work,'' Henin said.

''I took my responsibilities and I am proud of that. I now have to be more consistent but winning two matches for my return is good for my confidence.'' Today she will face Safarova, who upset Kuznetsova in style.

ON THE RISE ''She is on the rise, she is a very impressive player who will have nothing to lose,'' Henin added.

Safarova, who broke into the limelight last month when she beat then champion Amelie Mauresmo to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, wrapped up her victory in one hour and 21 minutes.

The 20-year-old Czech, who lies 32nd in the WTA rankings, got off to a flying start, breaking in the first game on Kuznetsova's fourth double fault.

Safarova dictated the points, forcing her opponent behind her baseline and claiming the first set in 39 minutes after breaking a second time.

Both players held serve until the 10th game of the second set when unseeded Safarova broke again to snatch an impressive win with a stunning forehand.

''I'm so happy to win this match, it was so hard. It's just amazing for me,'' said Safarova.

Earlier today, Nadia Petrova booked her place in the last four with a clinical 6-3 6-2 victory over Dinara Safina in an all-Russian clash.

The world number seven played solid tennis throughout to knock down Marat Safin's younger sister, a winner in Paris in 2005, in one hour and two minutes.

Petrova, seeded fourth, now meets either compatriot Anna Chakvetadze or holder Mauresmo.

''First set we were both very tense, you could feel the tension on the court,'' said Petrova in a courtside interview.

''I was very strong mentally and then started to play better and better. Now I'm looking to the next level.'' REUTERS DKS BST0100