In their 2003 semi-final here, Williams – then the reigning champion – was reduced to tears by the hostile Philippe Chatrier crowd.

She was jeered by the crowd in the dying stages while her every mistake was cheered, as several line calls were disputed by both players.

Earlier in the third set, the American had made a serve even though her Belgian opponent had raised her hand to suggest she was not ready.

Williams claimed she had been distracted and asked the umpire for the point to be replayed, a request that was rejected.

Henin won that match 6-2 4-6 7-5 and went on to claim her first French Open title.

Both players claim they have never discussed the episode since.

Henin, the current world number one, has won at Roland Garros a further two occasions – in 2005 and 2006 – and will start as favourite today, even though Williams beat Henin in Miami earlier this year.

Henin has a better head-to-head record on clay, having won three of their four clashes on the dirt.

Williams, the eighth seed, said: “I don’t have anything to lose. She’s playing great but I never count myself out.”

Henin said: “It gives me confidence that I beat her on clay in the past.

“It’s the surface that I feel most comfortable on.”

The match is second on Philippe Chatrier court, following the quarter-final between seventh-seed Ana Ivanovic, from Serbia, and Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova, the third seed.

Kuznetsova was runner-up to Henin last year, and has not dropped a set in the tournament so far.

The other two quarters, which take place on Suzanne Lenglen court, involve four more players from the top nine in the seedings.

The opening clash sees in-form Jelena Jankovic, the fourth seed, takes on teenage prodigy Nicole Vaidisova, seeded six.

Jankovic, another Serb, has won three tournaments already this year and is one of the favourites for the title, having already knocked Venus Williams out of the tournament.

The second match will see Anna Chakvetadze, the ninth seed, attempt to oust fellow Russian Maria Sharapova, the second seed.

Sharapova has been playing through the pain barrier at Roland Garros owing to her recent shoulder trouble, and had to save two match points before seeing off Patty Schnyder in three sets in the fourth round.

In the men’s event, Rafael Nadal gave another clay court masterclass to progress to the quarter-finals after a 6-3 6-1 7-6 (7-5) victory over Lleyton Hewitt.

Nadal remains on course to become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 – and just the second man in 93 years – to win three successive Roland Garros titles and meets compatriot and close friend Carlos Moya in the last eight.

Hewitt struggled to cope with Nadal’s power and amazing court coverage and the world number two felt he produced the goods when he really needed to.

He said: “I played 10 times better than I did in my last round (against Albert Montanes).

“It was my best match of the tournament, and I am happy with my game.

“It is nice to be in the quarter-finals and nice to be playing against one of my best friends.”

Moya enjoyed a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-5 victory over veteran Jonas Bjorkman, with the 1998 champion securing victory in two hours 38 minutes.

The Spaniard’s greater nous on the surface did for doubles-specialist Bjorkman, who at 35 was the oldest player to reach the last 16 in the men’s singles.

On his forthcoming quarter-final Moya said: “Rafa will be an opponent, a rival.

“On the court, you don’t have any friends. You want to win the match, whatever the manner.

“It will be a tough battle as we know each other well.”

Novak Djokovic, the sixth seed, outplayed Fernando Verdasco on Philippe Chatrier court, easing to a 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-1) victory in two hours 45 minutes.

He will next play Igor Andreev after the dangerous Russian enjoyed a surprise victory over 16th seed Marcos Baghdatis.

The Cypriot, a finalist at last year’s Australian Open, took the first set but was then outplayed as Andreev hit back to win 2-6 6-1 6-3 6-4.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer, the top seed and world number one, will be favourite to book his place in the last four when he takes on Tommy Robredo in one of two quarter-finals today.

The other quarter-final will see Russian dark horse Nikolay Davydenko, the fourth seed, take on Argentina’s Guillermo Canas, seeded 19.