Henin subdues Serena to keep hat-trick alive

PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) Justine Henin did not let memories of an acrimonious clash with Serena Williams four years ago distract her from gliding into the semi-finals of the French Open with a sublime 6-4 6-3 victory today.

The last time the pair met in Paris, in the 2003 semi-finals, was a highly charged contest and Williams had walked off court with boos ringing around her ears after her reign as champion had been ended by the French-speaking Belgian.

The American was left an emotional wreck by the ordeal and went on to accuse Henin of ''lying and fabricating'' following a controversial point in the match.

The passage of time seemed to have healed old wounds and on Tuesday the players let their rackets do the talking.

Henin, chasing a hat-trick of titles in the French capital, walked on to Philippe Chatrier arena as the favourite even though she was facing a woman who had defied logic to win the Australian Open in January while ranked 81st in the world.

It took Henin 78 minutes to live up to her billing and set a semi-final showdown with fourth seed Jelena Jankovic.

''All she had to do was show up. I don't think I've ever played so bad in the quarters of a grand slam,'' said Williams.

''I'm always saying I want to peak at the right time but I didn't have any peaks today. I've never played so hideous and horrendous.'' Henin made Williams look like a clumsy village player in the first game as the American made futile attempts to chase down a series of breathtaking backhands.

The eighth seed had an opening to break back in the sixth game thanks to an Henin double fault but the top seed slammed the door shut with a ferocious forehand.

Normally the picture of calm on court, Henin even let out a yell of ''Allez'' as she ran away with the set in 41 minutes with another sizzling forehand.

With history repeating itself at the start of the second, Williams vented her growing frustrations by slamming her racket into the red dirt.

The release had the desired affect as she broke back for 1-1 but her joy was short-lived as an erring backhand in the fifth game handed the advantage back to Henin and this time the Belgian stamped her mark on clay.

After sealing her own exit with a misfiring forehand into the net, Williams proved that the past had been forgotten when she warmly congratulated Henin across the net.

Henin has now won 31 successive sets in Paris dating back to 2005.

Reuters TB DB2132