Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters slotted into their allotted places in the Australian Open final on Thursday, the top two seeds ensuring a third all-Belgian final in the last four Grand Slams.
Second-ranked Clijsters overcame unfancied Swiss Patty Schnyder 6-2, 7-6 while world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne hammered Colombia's Fabiola Zuluaga 6-2. 6-2.
"It's incredible for a country as small as Belgium," Clijsters said after joining her compatriot in the final.
Henin-Hardenne beat Clijsters in the French and U.S. Open finals last season but knows that come Saturday, past results or world rankings will count for nothing.
"When we go on the court it's going to be number one against number two. It doesn't make a big difference," the 21-year-old said after thrashing Zuluaga.
"I'm not going to be the favourite because I'm number one. I mean, we played unbelievable matches in our career. And Kim is a great player.
"We'll see what's going to happen. It's very hard to tell you what's going to happen. It's a Grand Slam final. That's going to be another great moment in my career."
DECIDEDLY SHAKY
Clijsters leads the pair's head-to-head battles 9-8 but she will have to pick up her game after looking decidedly shaky against Swiss Schnyder.
After a bright start, nerves seemed to get the better of her -- something which proved costly in those finals against Henin-Hardenne.
She did, however, brush off the ankle injury which has blighted her campaign and should be in good shape physically against the number one.
"My ankle is not going to get any better. But the good news is I can't make it any worse," she smiled.
"I'll just have to keep my mind off it."
Top seed Henin-Hardenne demolished her nervous opponent in just 76 minutes.
"I'm very happy with my first Australian Open final and I hope to be in good shape on Saturday," she said.
Zuluaga, the first Colombian to reach a Grand Slam semi-final, was unable to mount a serious challenge against the top seed.
Henin-Hardenne always had control, hitting a series of winners off both sides and running her opponent ragged.
"It was a good fight and there were lots of good rallies. I played well on the big points and I served well," Henin-Hardenne said.
"I've won all my matches in straight sets so physically I'm feeling fine."
PLAYED INDOORS
The match was played indoors after morning showers forced Melbourne Park officials to close the retractable roof.
Henin-Hardenne was an overwhelming favourite to win the match after starting the new year in great form. She won the Sydney International in the lead-up to the Open and had dropped just 27 games on her way to the semis.
Her focus is firmly on victory.
"I found out in this tournament that being number one is something important," she said.
"But that's not everything. The results are the most important thing. And winning every match that comes to you is the most important thing."
