The combative Belgian, who had lost her previous three encounters with the former world number one, including their memorable 2001 French Open [ Images ] final, will meet compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne or France's [ Images ] Amelie Mauresmo [ Images ] in Sunday's final.

By reaching the final, Clijsters made sure of regaining the world number two spot she lost this week to Venus Williams [ Images ], who pulled out of the Berlin tournament with a stomach injury.

Clijsters served for the match twice in the second set but Capriati refused to bow out, surviving four match points before winning the set in a tiebreak.

The decisive set was close until the fourth-seeded Capriati double faulted to present Clijsters with three more match points and hit a backhand into the net on the first after two hours and 17 minutes of entertaining tennis.

It all came down to a few points and both players suggested they could do damage at the French Open starting on May 26.

Capriati beat Clijsters 1-6, 6-4, 12-10 in the final in Paris two years ago after the longest third set in the history of the event.