Tennis: Henin-Hardenne and Safin through, Mauresmo crashes out

PARIS - Former world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne showed the qualities that took her to the French Open title in 2003 as she battled past Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 4-6 6-2 6-3 on Saturday to reach the fourth round.

The 10th-seeded Belgian made 58 unforced errors but fought back strongly to extend her winning streak to 18 matches and set up a clash with US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Henin-Hardenne won consecutive titles in Charleston, Warsaw and Berlin in the run-up to Roland Garros, but said the win over Garrigues was all the more satisfying because of the effort of their two hour, 17 minute clash.

"This was a real clay tennis match," Henin-Hardenne said.

"We don't see many on the female tour and I think this has been one of my best matches. She didn't give away anything. I had to do it all. It really wasn't easy."

Amelie Mauresmo denied cracking under pressure in front of her home crowd after her French Open dreams were again shattered on Saturday.

The third seed was left to dwell on yet another early exit from Roland Garros after losing 6-4 3-6 6-4 to gifted Serbian newcomer Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

"Of course, I wanted to go further in the tournament and it's a big disappointment to lose but the previous defeats have been more frustrating than this one," said the Frenchwoman.

Mauresmo had never been past the quarter-finals at the claycourt major and her 11th visit proved to be another frustrating outing after she was outwitted by a tenacious 17-year-old making her French Open debut.

Marat Safin kept his cool to win the battle of the former world number ones with a 7-6 7-5 1-6 7-6 victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero and reach the last 16.

The third-round contest had the potential to produce fireworks since Australian Open champion Safin had accused the Spaniard of acting like a 14-year-old after losing to him in the second round in Hamburg earlier this month.

But the Russian third seed stuck to his task on court and ended the challenge of the 2003 Roland Garros champion with an emphatic smash after three hours 45 minutes.

"I think the crowd should get a video cassette of this match because it was a classic," said Safin as he left court with sweat dripping off his face.

"I'm taking this tournament very seriously and in this sort of match you have to take your opportunities when they come."

- REUTERS