Lucie Safarova's brilliant run at the Paris Open continued when the Czech knocked out top seed Justine Henin 7-6, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the final.

Unseeded Safarova, who beat compatriot Nicole Vaidisova and world number five Svetlana Kuznetsova in the previous rounds, now meets Russian Nadia Petrova, who beat holder Amelie Mauresmo of France 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 .

The Paris fans, dreaming of a rematch of the Australian Open fourth round tie between Mauresmo and Safarova, saw their hopes dashed when Petrova wrapped up her win with a powerful return after two hours and 42 minutes.

The 20-year-old broke into the limelight at last month's Australian Open when she knocked out then champion Mauresmo in the fourth round before falling to Vaidisova in the quarter-finals.

"I tried to put her under pressure on every point," Safarova told a news conference.

"I was feeling very good on the court," added the Czech, whose father arrived in Paris on Saturday to watch her play.

Safarova's booming returns put early pressure on Henin's serve but the former world number one's devastating backhand kept her in contention.

The Belgian was playing her third match since her comeback to competitive tennis after a three-month break following a split from her husband.

Henin's previous tournament was season-ending Tour championships in Madrid last November.

"I played too defensive," said Henin.

"Even when I was leading, I was not playing well. It was very hard for me to read her serve, especially on my backhand side."

Henin broke in the sixth game when Safarova netted an easy forehand and opened a 5-2 lead.

The Czech, however, saved three set points before breaking Henin's serve. Safarova levelled at 5-5 and clinched the set in the tie break which she won 7-5.

Henin broke in the fifth game of the second set as Safarova showed some signs of nervousness.

But the Czech stormed back, winning the final four games to wrap up victory in one hour and 39 minutes.