Justine Henin-Hardenne won the battle of the Belgians in a classic three-set thriller against Kim Clijsters to reach the final of the Hastings Direct International Championship at Eastbourne.
And her 6-3 5-7 6-5 triumph means she has also moved ahead of her rival in head-to-head combat - 11 wins to 10 - just three days before the start of Wimbledon where they could meet again in the women's final.
Henin-Hardenne, seeded three by the All-England Club committee and a winner over Clijsters in the semi-finals of the French Open which she won for a third time earlier this month, was fast out of the blocks to break her opponent's serve in the opening game.
And with her renowned backhand slice working like a dream, she broke though again eight games later to capture the first set in 33 minutes.
Both women had insisted this was no grudge match, just more grass court preparation for Wimbledon.
Yet it was fought out with fierce commitment on both sides.
Henin-Hardenne's defeat of the reigning Eastbourne champion means she will be the first woman player to earn a total 2million US dollars on tour this year.
