WTA: Henin, Sharapova advance to French Open semis

Paris, France (Sports Network) - Top-ranked Belgian Justine Henin and second-seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the semifinals at the French Open after winning their quarterfinal matches on Tuesday in convincing fashion.
In a highly-anticpated showdown, Henin whipped former world No. 1 American Serena Williams 6-4, 6-3. Henin is now 2-0 against Williams in two meetings all-time at the French Open. Back in 2003, the Belgian also prevailed over Williams in a semifinal match here at Roland Garros.
Henin is a five-time Grand Slam champion, including three French Open titles in the last four years. She's won the last two French Opens, including a victory over Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in last year's finale.
Henin will square off against fourth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who earlier on Tuesday defeated sixth-seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova 6-3, 7-5 to move into the semis.
Sharapova downed ninth-seeded fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-4 to improve to 4-0 lifetime against her countrywoman, including a win in the Aussie Open quarters this past January. Sharapova also beat Chakvetadze here in Paris in 2005.
Next up for Sharapova is a match against seventh-seed Serb Ana Ivanovic, who stunned the third-seed Kuznetsova 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 to reach her first grand slam semifinal earlier on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old Sharapova is a two-time major titlist and has appeared in the last two Grand Slam finals. She prevailed at last year's U.S. Open and was routed by Williams in this year's Aussie Open title affair.
The semifinals will be held here on Thursday, with the winners to meet in the lucrative final on Saturday.