Berlin ? Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clijsters both won in straight sets Friday to reach the German Open semifinals and set up a rematch of the 2001 French Open championship match.

Clijsters can take the No. 2 ranking from Venus Williams by winning this $1.2 million clay-court tournament or by reaching the final, depending on the ranking of her opponents.

The fourth-seeded Capriati struggled in the second set but beat Elena Likhovtseva, 6-3, 6-3, in damp and dark conditions. The top-seeded Clijsters won the first seven games of her quarterfinal and beat Daniela Hantuchova, 6-0, 6-3, in less than an hour.

After winning the first set, Capriati charged to a 4-1 lead in the second before Likhovtseva closed within 4-3. Capriati fought off four break points and won the match when Likhovtseva netted a backhand.

Capriati has not dropped a set in her first three matches on the clay this season as she prepares for French Open later this month.

“It’s a good sign to still be able to play well today,” Capriati said. “That’s Europe. You have to be able to cope with the conditions. You just have to have patience, and don’t let them frustrate you.”

Clijsters is winless in three matches against Capriati, the most noteworthy coming at Roland Garros in 2001, where Capriati won, 1-6, 6-4, 12-10, in the longest third set of any French Open women’s final.

Jennifer Capriati returns a shot to Elena Likhovtseva. Capriati won the match, 6-3, 6-3, in the German Open Friday in Berlin.

Capriati is looking forward to her semifinal showdown.

“Clijsters is the favorite,” Capriati said. “She’s had a good run, both this year and at the end of last year.

“We’ve played some good matches, and of course the one great match. We’ve always have sort of dogfights when we play. It’s fun.”

Clijsters, who has been practicing with Capriati, expects a tough semifinal match.

“I’ll have to play better to beat her,” the Belgian said. “I’ve been playing well, but there’s still things I need to improve on.

“You still have to play your own game.”