Friday's draw saw the Belgian title-holder and No.1 seed land in the same quarter of the draw as former world No.1 Williams meaning that they are on a collision course to meet in the quarter-finals.

In 2003, Williams was at the peak of her powers having won the four previous Grand Slam titles and reigning supreme as world No. 1.

She blasted home heroine Amelie Mauresmo off the court in the quarterfinals with a daunting display of naked aggression and was hot favourite to despatch the slightly-built Henin in the semis.

But with the Parisian crowd getting firmly behind the underdog, Williams bit the dust 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 and the American juggernaut left the court in tears to hostile jeers.

Both have had their ups and downs since then, but with Henin now atop the world rankings and a resurgent Serena winning the Australian Open and back in the top 10 for the first time since late 2005, their progress will be closely monitored.

Henin, who turns 25 next week, admits that in terms of physique she is no match for Williams who is only nine months older but considerably bulkier. But she insists that she has other advantages.

"I have this image of being a girl not as tall as the others, not as strong as the others," she said.

"But I have a great sensibility, which makes me perhaps a bit more fragile, but also much stronger that others on some occasions."

Henin says that she is finally over the emotional strain that accompanied the break up of her marriage earlier this year, a drama that caused her to miss the Australian Open.

And she says that she has found a new inner contentment that she hopes will take her to more Grand Slam success over the next few years.

"I'm a very happy person, I'm lucky, I'm in good health and that's important for me and I have a wonderful team around me," she said.

"My life has been a fight many times, but I have no bad feelings about it. I want to share with other people and I don't consider anything as a revenge against life."

Williams insists she has no bad memories from the bitter 2003 defeat to Henin and after a 2006 ruined by injuries and lack of commitment, she appears to be back to her bruising best and determined to win the French Open for the second time.

"I definitely feel that I've had a rebound," she said of her season so far.

"Winning a tournament boosts your confidence, let alone a grand slam. It makes you feel really good."

"Right now I think the French Open is my No.1 priority, simply because I only have one trophy and she's really lonely, so she really wants a friend.

"And the other ones (US, Australian, Wimbledon) have friends, so this is the only one that I have that doesn't have a friend."

There's a long way to go though before she will even contemplate pondering her chances of becoming the first women since Steffi Graf in 1988 to achieve a calendar year Grand Slam.

"What's on my mind is just winning seven matches at Roland Garros which would be completely awesome. That's my main focus."