PARIS — Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin set up a third-round showdown today at the French Open by winning matches suspended overnight because of darkness.
Sharapova finished off Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-3, 6-3 on Friday, and four-time champion Henin beat Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3.
A schedule backlog caused by rain created a parade of champions on the sixth day of the tournament. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus and Serena Williams were among those who advanced, but defending women’s champion Svetlana Kuznetsova was upset by fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.
Now the champions start playing each other. Henin has a 6-3 record against Sharapova.
“We’ve had some great matches in the past,” Sharapova said. “I’ve had some tough losses and great wins. I look forward to this one.”
The Russian won their most recent meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Australian Open. That was Henin’s last Grand Slam match before she retired.
Now the Belgian is mounting a career comeback and playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007.
“It’s going to be an interesting match,” Henin said.
Henin, seeded 22nd, has French Open winning streaks of 23 matches and 39 sets. The No. 12-seeded Sharapova is seeking the only Grand Slam title she has yet to win, and she said she’s becoming more comfortable on clay.
“I really do enjoy it,” the Russian said. “I’ve learned a lot playing on it the last few years.”
Venus Williams reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2006 by beating No. 26 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-4. Once again wearing the lacy corset that has created the tournament’s biggest buzz, Williams hit six aces and lost only four points on her first serve.
Serena and Venus are seeded 1-2 and wouldn’t meet until the final. Serena easily dispatched Julia Goerges of Germany 6-1, 6-1.
At a glance
A look at the French Open on Friday:
Stat of the day: 39 — consecutive sets won at Roland Garros by Justine Henin, heading into her match today against Maria Sharapova.
Quote of the day: “You want me to explain? I won last year, so I think I can do it again.” — Defending champion Roger Federer, asked if he thinks he can win the French Open again
Today’s top matches: No. 2 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 28 Lleyton Hewitt, No. 6 Andy Roddick vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili; No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, No. 12 Sharapova vs. No. 22 Henin.
Today’s TV: Tennis Channel — 3-10 a.m.; KUSA — 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
