BRUSSELS – The final of this year’s Australian Open tennis championships will be an all-Belgian affair featuring the country’s two racket-wielding superstars Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne.

The Belgian head-to-head was confirmed after Clijsters beat Patti Schnyder 6-2 7-6 in her semi final match.

The 20-year-old’s victory against Schnyder was by no means assured as she has been suffering from an ankle injury and only confirmed she would play in the semi-final after passing a late fitness test.

After her win, Clijsters seemed to be relishing the prospect of facing her compatriot and long-time rival.

“It’s incredible for a country as small as Belgium,” she said of the forthcoming head to head.

The Australian Open will mark the third time the two Belgian players have met in a Grand Slam final.

Last year Henin-Hardenne beat Clijsters in the French and US opens.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Belgian news