PARIS, France (AP) — Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin set up a third-round showdown at the French Open yesterday by winning matches suspended overnight because of darkness.

Sharapova finished off Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-3, 6-3, and four-time champion Henin beat Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3.

A schedule backlog caused by rain created a parade of champions on the sixth day of the tournament. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Venus and Serena Williams were among those who advanced.

Now the champions start playing each other. Henin has a 6-3 record against Sharapova.

The Russian won their most recent meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Australian Open. That was Henin’s last Grand Slam match before she retired.

Now the Belgian is mounting a career comeback and playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2007.

Henin, seeded 22nd, has French Open winning streaks of 23 matches and 39 sets. The No 12-seeded Sharapova is seeking the only Grand Slam title she has yet to win, and she said she’s becoming more comfortable on clay.

Venus Williams reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2006 by beating No 26 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-4. Once again wearing the lacy corset that has created the tournament’s biggest buzz, Williams hit six aces and lost only four points on her first serve.

Serena and Venus are seeded 1-2 and wouldn’t meet until the final.

Serena Williams took the court on a sunny, cool morning and engaged in brisk workouts. The top-ranked Williams won nine consecutive games and advanced to the third round by beating Julia Goerges of Germany 6-1, 6-1.

In women’s play, Russian qualifier Anastasia Pivovarova, ranked 187th, upset No 25-seeded Zheng Jie of China 6-4, 6-3. No 13 Marion Bartoli and No 29 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also won.