France's Amelie Mauresmo survived a mid-match slump to reach her first Wimbledon final after a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Russia's Maria Sharapova on Thursday.

The world number one led 6-3, 3-1 before 2004 champion Sharapova reeled off five successive games to force a third set in an enthralling semi-final tussle on Centre Court.

Mauresmo recovered her rhythm in the decider, though, and will face French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in Saturday's final, a repeat of this year's Australian Open final, which she won after the Belgian retired with a stomach upset.

Fourth seed Sharapova has now lost five Grand Slam semi-finals since winning the 2004 Wimbledon title as a 17-year-old.

Henin-Hardenne reached her second Wimbledon final when she out-hit fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters 6-4, 7-6 on Centre Court in an earlier match.

Henin-Hardenne, who needs a Wimbledon crown to complete her collection of Grand Slam titles, fell a break behind in the first set before reeling off three successive games from 3-4.

Clijsters served for a fluctuating second set at 6-5 but thrashed a forehand wide to let her opponent off the hook and take it into a tiebreak.

French Open champion Henin-Hardenne took full advantage, accelerating into a 6-3 lead and clinching the match on her second match point with a sizzling crosscourt backhand.