Los Angeles, Nov 08: Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne booked her place in the semi-finals of the WTA tour championships - and assured herself of the year-end world no. 1 ranking - with a 6-2 6-1 round-robin victory over Jennifer Capriati. Henin-Hardenne, who won the French Open and US Open titles this year but could only wrest the no. 1 ranking away from compatriot Kim Clijsters briefly in October, made sure she'll top the rankings at the end of her stellar season by reaching the semi-finals of the elite 3 million-dollar championships.

Less than 24 hours after pulling off a tough 7-5 5-7 7-5 victory over Anastasia Myskina, during which Henin-Hardenne sought medical treatment for her racing heart and the lingering effects of a sinus infection, the Belgian looked fit as a fiddle as she dominated Capriati. The American, who came up short in a classic three-set match against Henin-Hardenne in the semi-finals of the US Open, was hobbled by the hip flexor muscle strain she suffered in her opening round-robin match on Wednesday.

However, under the round-robin format she still has a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Henin-Hardenne didn't face a break point in the 59 minute match, while breaking Capriati twice in each set. Bureau Report