BERLIN, May 9 (UPI) -- No. 1 seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium breezed into the semifinals of the German Open Friday with a 6-0, 6-3 dismissal of Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova.
Clijsters will play fourth seed Jennifer Capriati in their first meeting on clay since the French Open final in 2001.
Two years ago, Capriati beat Clijsters, 1-6, 6-4, 12-10, in the longest-ever third set in a French Open final. The American is 3-0 lifetime against Clijsters.
"It was great," Clijsters said of the championship match. "It's probably the biggest memory in my career. Ever since then, Jennifer and I have been very good friends. It's been great to see that happen on the tour.
"It's going to be a tough match because Jennifer's been playing really well. She's moving very well, too, and it's going to be a battle out there."
On Friday, Capriati dispatched Russian Elena Likhovtseva, 6-3, 6-3, in light rain. She has reached five straight semifinals since her first-round loss at the Australian Open in January.
"It was a little bit difficult to get up for the match because it's such a change," Capriati said. "It's dreary for everyone. I had to adjust to the conditions. Everything was a little bit slower and heavier, but I got warmed up and started playing well."
Third seed Justin Henin-Hardenne of Belgium defeated Russian Vera Zvonareva, 6-4, 7-5, and will take on Amelie Mauresmo in the semifinals. The fifth-seeded Frenchwoman overcame Uzbekistan's Iroda Tulyaganova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
Clijsters beat Hantuchova for the third time in as many meetings. The 19-year-old Belgian has yet to lose before the semifinals in seven tournaments this year, capturing two titles and producing two runner-up efforts.
"When you play Daniela, you have to try and get aggressive from the first point because otherwise she can dictate the points. And if she gets into a rhythm, it can be a real struggle," Clijsters said.
A two-time champion this season, Henin-Hardenne has reached at least the semifinals in her third straight tournament and seventh this season. She cooled off the fast-rising Zvonareva, who won her first career title Sunday in Croatia.
"It was a great match we played, very good tennis," Henin-Hardenne said. "She's a great fighter and played unbelievable at the end of the match. She's a young player and she's coming very strong on the tour.
"She's proved already that we're going to have to deal with her in the next years. She's not intimidated, and I think we'll see her very fast in the top."
