Sharapova, Henin advance to French showdown

PARIS (AP):

Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin set up a third-round showdown at the French Open yesterday, by winning matches suspended overnight because of darkness.

Sharapova finished off Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-3, 6-3, and four-time champion Henin beat Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3.

A schedule backlog caused by rain created a parade of champions on the sixth day of the tournament. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus and Serena Williams were among those who advanced, while defending women's champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset by fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.

Now the champions start playing each other. Henin has a 6-3 record against Sharapova.

"We've had some great matches in the past," Sharapova said. "I've had some tough losses and great wins. I look forward to this one."

The Russian won their most recent meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Australian Open. That was Henin's last Grand Slam match before she retired.

Now the Belgian is mounting a career comeback and playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007.

"It's going to be an interesting match," Henin said. "Comes very early, of course, third round, but I expect a big fight as we've always had in the past. It's going to be very exciting to play her again in the second career. The motivation is going to be really high just to keep going in this tournament."

Venus Williams reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2006, by beating No. 26 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-4.

Once again wearing the lacy corset that has created the tournament's biggest buzz, Williams hit six aces and lost only four points on her first serve.

Amazing innovation

Serena and Venus are seeded 1-2 and wouldn't meet until the final.

"I may be wearing all the same boring underclothes as the other people," said Williams, who designed the corset. "I mean, as great as the design is, I really want the focus to be on the tennis. So obviously wearing lace on the court will still be an amazing innovation, but I'll have to find a way to try to make it a little less noteworthy."

The No. 6-seeded Kuznetsova, who saved four match points in the second round, lost to No. 30 Kirilenko 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The upset knocks Kuznetsova out of the top 10 for the first time in four years.

Serena Williams and Nadal took the court on a sunny, cool morning and were done before lunch.

The top-ranked Williams won nine consecutive games and advanced to the third round by beating Julia Goerges of Germany 6-1, 6-1.

"We're having so much fun at this time of my career and you know, we just feel good," Serena said. "We're doing the best we can and we're enjoying every moment."

Four-time champion Nadal lost serve only once and beat Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

Nadal has lost only 13 games through two rounds and next faces two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, who outlasted Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Hewitt improved to 30-14 in five-set matches.

The top-ranked Federer reached the fourth round by beating qualifier Julian Reister of Germany 6-4, 6-0, 6-4. Federer never faced a break point and lost only five points on his first serve.

Dangerous players

"I haven't played top guys yet, but dangerous players who are skilful on this surface," Federer said. "With my own form I'm very happy."

Federer will next play fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Federer and Wawrinka teamed up to win the gold medal in doubles at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Djokovic, a two-time semifinalist seeded third, overcame nine double faults for a second-round win over Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Andy Murray, seeded fourth, moved into the fourth round by beating Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-3, 0-6, 6-2. No. 9 David Ferrer, led 6-2, 6-2, 2-0 when Xavier Malisse retired with a left hamstring injury. No. 19 Nicolas Almagro of Spain, No. 22 Jurgen Melzer of Austria and No. 31 Victor Hansecu of Romania also advanced.

In women's play, Russian qualifier Anastasia Pivovarova, ranked 187th, upset No. 25-seeded Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 6-3. No. 13 Marion Bartoli and No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also won, while No. 11 Li Na lost to No. 17 Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-2.