Paris ? It started in the very first game, when a few fans applauded an errant forehand. By the final set, thousands loudly cheered missed serves.

And when Serena Williams abruptly shook hands without speaking a word to Justine Henin-Hardenne, the woman who had just ended her Grand Slam winning streak, full-throated boos echoed from the upper deck.

Rattled by the rough crowd and unable to solve a gritty opponent, Williams lost to Henin-Hardenne, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, Thursday at the French Open, ending her bid for a fifth straight major title. Williams had won 33 straight Grand Slam matches dating to last year at Roland Garros, the sixth-longest streak in history.

“It was just a tough crowd out there today. Really tough. Story of my life,” Williams said.

Moments later, discussing the spectators, she choked up and wiped away tears.

“It’s a little difficult. All my life, I’ve had to fight. So it’s just another fight,” Williams said. “It definitely does make it harder, but I’ve just got to be able to be a little stronger next time.”

Instead of a fifth straight all-Williams Grand Slam final — Serena’s sister Venus lost in the fourth round — Henin-Hardenne will play No. 2 Kim Clijsters in the first all-Belgian major final. Neither owns a Grand Slam title.

Clijsters, the 2001 French Open runner-up, beat Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-1, taking nine of the last 10 games.

“It’s good that you have a different final. It’s good to see different players. It’s good for women’s tennis,” said Henin-Hardenne, who lost to Venus in the 2001 Wimbledon final. “Maybe it’s time to give someone else a chance.”

She earned her shot by racing to an early lead Thursday, then hanging in when the pressure appeared to get to both players and the crowd really became a factor.

With Williams ahead 3-2 in the final set, Henin-Hardenne’s forehand sailed long — but there was no call. Instead of continuing the point, Williams yelled, “Out!” She beckoned chair umpire Jorge Dias, who agreed.

Two more errors by Henin-Hardenne, plus a forehand winner by Williams, gave the defending champion a service break and a 4-2 lead. The next game, Henin-Hardenne hit another shot Williams thought was out. Again, Dias concurred after checking the mark on the clay.

Justine Henin-Hardenne celebrates her victory against Serena Williams in the French Open semifinals. Henin-Hardenne was a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 winner Thursday in Paris.