Pierce to meet Henin-Hardenne in final

Mary Pierce stormed into her first grand slam final in five years by crushing Russia’s Elena Likhovtseva in straight sets at the French Open.

Pierce, whose win at Roland Garros in 2000 was the last time she took part in a title match in one of the four majors, was too strong for a nervous-looking Likhovtseva, wrapping up a 6-1 6-1 triumph in just 58 minutes.

Home favourite Pierce will play Belgium’s Justine Henin-Hardenne in Saturday’s final.

Former world number one Henin-Hardenne beat Nadia Petrova 6-2 6-3 in today’s first semi-final.