Henin holds off Serena fightback
Henin will be a strong favourite to lift the title after beating Serena
Wednesday, 04, Jul 2007 09:48
Justine Henin secured a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals after holding off a spirited fightback from Serena Williams, taking the match 6-4 3-6 6-3.
The top seed took advantage of the only break point opportunity either player could fashion in a fiercely fought first set with the scores level at 4-4. The Belgian then held her serve to go ahead in the match.
But former champion Williams bounced back in the second set. The players exchanged service breaks before the American secured a second to go 5-3 in front.
Williams was forced to challenge an ace she had served to take the set, but she was proved right and took the match into a decider.
Henin gained a dominant position once more and led 5-1 before two double faults handed Serena a break back. However, the world number one held her nerve in her next service game at 5-3 and secured a semi-final spot.
She will now face Marion Bartoli of France who beat Michaella Krajicek in her quarter-final.
There was better news for Serena's sister Venus who overpowered a below-par Maria Sharapova in straight-sets.
In a fourth-round match that had been delayed because of rain yesterday Williams began strongest, winning the first set 6-1 in 33 minutes.
The Russian put up some resistance at the start of the second set but when Venus claimed a break at 4-3 there was no coming back for the 2004 champion.
Williams took the set 6-4 to set up a quarter-final against fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.