Kim Clijsters won a dramatic semi-final battle of the Belgians against Justin Henin to reach the final of the Sony Ericsson Open.

The 6-2 6-7 7-6 victory means Clijsters will play for a 37th career title today against Venus Williams, who earlier cruised to a 6-3 6-4 win over France's Marion Bartoli.

Clijsters dominated the opening set of her encounter with Henin but then, having been 3-0 up in the second, lost out in a tiebreak to allow the game into a decisive third set.

Neither of the two former world number ones, who have both made comebacks to the game, dominated on serve and Clijsters produced a double fault when serving for the match.

After losing the first two points of the tiebreak, Clijsters roared back to take a 6-3 lead but once again Henin refused to roll over.

She won the next three points to close to 6-6 before Clijsters produced two great shots - a volley close to the net and then a forehand across the court - to win the match.

Henin praised Clijsters for coming up with the big shots at the right moment.

"It wasn't a great match but she played better on the important points," said Henin. "She was more aggressive and took the opportunities and I think that really made the difference."

Clijsters also won on a tiebreak the last time the pair met in the final of the Brisbane Open in January.

"It was a very, very similar game and it is pretty crazy to have two matches like that with each other so early in the year," said Clijsters.

"It's a good win but now I am focusing on Saturday (today), there won't be any celebrating whatsoever, the tournament is not over," she added.

The tall blonde faces a confident Williams, whose victory over Bartoli was watched from the stands by her injured sister Serena.

"I think a lot is going to come down to the serve," said Clijsters, "I have to go out and play aggressively again."

Men's semi-final: A. Roddick bt R. Nadal 4-6 6-3 6-3.