Henin-Hardenne books place in semis

Justine Henin-Hardenne secured a place in the semi-finals of the WTA Championships and remained on course to claim the year-end number one spot with a 6-4 6-4 win over Russia's Nadia Petrova yesterday.

The French Open champion's victory means that the in-form Maria Sharapova will now have to win the tournament and hope the Belgian does not make the final if she is to deprive her of ending the year as number one.

"It's a great feeling to qualify for the semis," the Belgian said after the match.

"I missed the last two editions because of injury and I'm back after a few weeks off so it's great to be back at the top of the tree."

Henin-Hardenne, who beat Martina Hingis in her opening match, recovered from a slow start to see off Petrova in straight sets.

Petrova got off to a promising start when she broke Henin-Hardenne's serve in the second game, but the Belgian hit back with a double break in the third and fifth to take the set.

It was level-pegging in the second until Henin-Hardenne used her superior court craft to break in the seventh game for the win.

Other result: Mauresmo beat Hingis 3-6 6-1 6-4.