However, from serving at 40-15 for a 4-1 lead, Clijsters was taken to deuce, conceded the break with a double fault and Schnyder put together a run of four consecutive games to sit serving for the set.
But Clijsters' returning power was crucial and she broke back to 15 and forced the tiebreak.
"I'm happy to get through in two sets because it's going to be tough on Saturday," said Clijsters.
Henin-Hardenne was rarely stretched by the outclassed Zuluaga, who could not cope with the Belgian's power and variety.
The reigning French Open and US Open champion had insisted Zuluaga would challenge her, despite a lack of Grand Slam experience. As the first Colombian to reach a Grand Slam semi-final she made a decent fist of it but there was a huge gap in class.
"I feel good, Henin-Hardenne said. "I have won all my matches in two sets. I have confidence and it is great to be in the final."
Henin-Hardenne, who lost to Venus Williams in the semi-final last year, broke consecutively in the opening set to race 3-0 up.
Zuluaga then had her best patch, breaking back and then holding for 3-2, but could not maintain her momentum as Henin-Hardenne broke again with a snappy backhand volley for 5-2.
The second set was tighter but Henin-Hardenne pressured the Zuluaga serve until she broke through for a 3-2 lead and won four on the spin to reach the final.
"There were long rallies but I played well on the important points and served well when I had to," added Henin-Hardenne.
