TENNIS/French Open: What is it about the current batch of Russian players that makes them different when they step on to a tennis court? What lies behind their current pre-eminence in the women's game?

Yesterday on Court Philippe Chatrier, 2004 US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova dogged out a match against tournament favourite Justine Henin-Hardenne and at one minute after the hour mark earned the first of two match-points.

Fourteen minutes later, however, Henin-Hardenne had turned it around, earned her first match-point and closed out the match. She threw her arms into the air as though she had just won the French Open itself, not a fourth-round match. Relief, fatigue, acceptance that this was her day and that the match was over. The Belgian had survived a siege.

Kuznetsova, her knees grazed from sliding into returns, the inside of her leg chaffed from rubbing against the other heavily bandaged thigh, her mouth cracked and dry, departed head down and dejected. But despite her exit, Russian women still occupied three of the last eight places at Roland Garros.

It is their attitude, their willingness to eat hardship, that makes these Russians different. It has always been said tennis is a head game and only for Kuznetsova's inability to play a couple of big points when the match was within her grasp, Russians would have accounted for half of the surviving draw. Nadia Petrova, Elena Likhovtseva and Maria Sharapova all remain in contention with players from USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, France and Serbia-Montenegro.

Fittingly, Sharapova, who yesterday, with some degree of resignation, described herself as a "global product", twinkle-toed her way forward, 6-2, 6-3, in her carry-over match against Spain's Nuris Llagostera Vives. It took Sharapova only three games yesterday morning to claim a place in the semi-finals.

Had Kuznetsova played a few big set-points in the first-set tiebreak, or those two match-points in the third set with more poise and confidence Henin-Hardenne would be out. But having won three of the four Grand Slams and reached the Wimbledon final in 2001, the in-form Belgian's experience weathered the best her opponent could offer and she was ruthless when her chance arrived.

So tight was the match, Henin-Hardenne's 137-point match total was only two more than that of Kuznetsova.

"The match I lost, she didn't win it. The moment I had to do something, I didn't do anything. The match-points I had, I just had to go and hit the ball," said a lugubrious Kuznetsova, her deep, rich Russian accent resonating with despair. "I would kill myself if that was a final.

"When I had match-points it was tough. Well, she didn't miss. She just put the ball in. This was her game. In the match I felt like I could run for ever."

Henin-Hardenne won the first set 7-6, coming back from 5-2 down in the tie-break to snatch it 8-6. Kuznetsova hit back in the second, winning the first three games, two of them on Henin-Hardenne's serve to eventually win it 6-4, and then going on to set up a generous lead in the third.

Serving for the match at 5-3 up, Henin-Hardenne turned the last four games in her favour, Kuznetsova's match-points slipping by, her game souring when most she needed it to be fresh and sharp.

Henin-Hardenne should provide Sharapova with an acid test of sorts. The 18-year-old has been measured by her shaky beginnings but has still dropped only one set - in the first round.

Sharapova has also shown remarkable improvement over the last 12 months. Last year she was the 18th seed at Roland Garros. She returned this year as the second seed and with a Wimbledon title. Mentally, Henin-Hardenne is probably stronger on clay.

An ability to grind out sets is not part of Sharapova's armoury. Quickly finished points played in warm conditions so the balls play lighter is what she is hoping for. But Sharapova also reminded her opponents she is more than just a product.

"I think I am a global brand at this point," she said adding that having just turned 18, it was now too late to arrest that. "But what has brought me here is not just a brand, but my tennis. As long as I keep winning, I'll become whatever anyone wants to call me."