Miami, Florida – Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters set up an all-Belgian affair at the Sony Ericsson Open semis, a spot in the final on the line, a date with Venus Williams, who advanced earlier today when she beat Marion Bartoli in straight sets.

These two ex-retirees, who returned to the game only recently – Kimmi in the summer of ’09 and Justine at the start of 2010 – have already met once this year at the Brisbane final. Clijsters beat Henin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6). Bearing in mind Henin was competing in her first event after reversing her 18-month retirement, and Clijsters was six months into her second career capped with a US Open title, the result was understandable.

Lifetime Henin just edges Clijsters 12-11. Yup, these Belgians have crossed paths 23 times – 11 Finals, 7 semis, and 4 quarters were decided between them. Only once did they meet in an earlier round, the R32 at Indian Wells in 2001.