Sharapova only looking forward

Justine Henin-Hardenne has won four of five career matches against Maria Sharapova [Images] heading into Saturday's US Open final.

The Russian teenager has already overcome one major hurdle in reaching the title match by upsetting world number one Amelie Mauresmo 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the semi-finals.

"I hadn't beaten Amelie in a competition match before," said Sharapova, who defeated Mauresmo in a 2004 walkover but had lost all three matches against her. "And I beat her today.

"I don't have a great record with Justine, so it doesn't really matter. It's a new match, a new opportunity.

"I know I've beaten her before, and I know that I'm playing good tennis and I'm confident. I'm looking forward to beating her again."

Henin-Hardenne will be playing her fourth Grand Slam final in 2006, making her just one of seven women to accomplish the feat.

"It's a great feeling," said the five-times Grand Slam champion. "It's an amazing season for me. It's almost a dream this year. I wish I will have one more Grand Slam title now.

The 24-year-old Belgian reached the U.S. Open final by beating 19th seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Henin-Hardenne's nagging back injury flared up against Jankovic but the number two seed said she was "going to be just fine".

"It's been pretty painful the last few days," she said. "I couldn't serve a lot during my practice. I just have to keep fighting. It's not easy to play with the pain.

"But I think every athlete has to deal with a little bit of pain at the end of a Grand Slam. It's tough, but I have to deal with it."

When Sharapova faces Henin-Hardenne under the lights, it will be her first Grand Slam final since her stunning Wimbledon triumph of 2004.

If Henin-Hardenne wins, she would replace Mauresmo as world number one but she is expecting Sharapova to come out firing.

"She's still looking for her second Grand Slam title," said the 2003 U.S. Open champion. "She will have a lot of motivation."

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