By DPA
Eastbourne : Top seed Justine Henin hammered home a convincing win while second seed Amelie Mauremso needed just a set to go through Friday as the top two seeds set up a dream final at the Eastbourne championships.
World number one Henin won her seventh straight match at the event, beating Marion Bartoli 6-1, 6-3 to reach a second straight final on the grass.
Mauresmo needed only 38 minutes to advance, winning 6-4 when injury-plagued Nadia Petrova was unable to go on after a pectoral muscle problem.
Third-seeded Petrova said she hopes to be fit for Wimbledon starting Monday and blamed the retirment on a three-hour winning effort the day before, when she saw the trainer several times.
Mauresmo said she is pleased to have reached a first Eastbourne final after losing her opening match in the past two editions.
She and Henin have played 13 times, with the Belgian leading 7-6.
"I'm expecting a good fight, it will be a tactical match tomorrow. I will be able to see exactly where I stand right now against the best player in the world," said the world number four.
"It will be a tight match. She has great confidence after winning the French Open again."
Henin, who won her fourth French Open title from the past five editions earlier this month, took just 59 minutes to crush Bartoli, winning a second straight match in less than an hour.
Henin won at Eastbourne a year ago in her debut appearance. She is seeking a fifth trophy this season on the WTA.
"I'm fresh and ready," said the Belgian. "But I need extra confidence on this surface. I'm getting better with each match. I'm really enjoying my game.
"So far I've had the perfect preparation for Wimbledon, I feel better on grass than I did last season."