Clijsters, Henin earn Brisbane final spots

Clijsters, who returned from a 27-month layoff last August, defeated Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-2 in Friday's semifinals and Henin, who was No. 1 in the world when she stepped away from the game in May 2008, had no trouble in dispatching third-seeded Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2 in her semifinal.

Clijsters' comeback had included a U.S. Open title last fall and her strong play has continued as the 2010 season begins. She broke Petkovic's serve five times and won half the points when Petkovic served.

The Brisbane event is Henin's first tournament since she announced her return to the game. She's dropped one set over four matches and needed just 66 minutes in eliminating Ivanovic. Henin's serve has been shaky -- she had four double faults and placed just 45 percent of her first serves against Ivanovic -- but she still won 60 percent of the points in the match.

Henin takes a 12-10 head-to-head advantage over Clijsters, including wins in their last three meetings, into Saturday's tournament title match.

Copyright 2010 by United Press International.