Serena Williams exacted sweet revenge and sister Venus displayed raw courage at Wimbledon on Thursday to inflict a double defeat on Belgium and set up a repeat of last year's women's final.

Venus William beat Kim Clijsters 4-6 6-3 6-1

But British hopes of ending a 67-year-wait for a men's champion were dashed when Tim Henman lost his quarter-final to Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

Defending women's champion Serena demolished Belgian rival Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-3 6-2 in their grudge semi-final rematch, while Venus played through agonising stomach muscle pain to beat Henin's compatriot Kim Clijsters 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Provided Venus, the 2000 and 2001 Wimbledon champion, is fit to play, Saturday's final will be the fifth all-Williams final in the last six grand slams and a sixth in total.

Serena, who is now assured of keeping her number one ranking, has won the last five matches between the two siblings.

The American had accused Henin of "lying and fabricating" in their bad-tempered game at Roland Garros last month but this time was all smiles, saying" "It's a great feeling. I just have another opportunity to have another go at another championship here."

VENUS PAIN

Battling Venus was just glad to have made it through her match in one piece after aggravating her stomach injury early in the match.

The older of the two sisters said a rain interruption after the first set, which she lost, had probably saved her.

"I had a lot of issues," the fourth seed said. "It was tough. I think the rain saved me. I couldn't calm myself down, I was so worried about the injury.

"I just gritted my teeth and started fighting."

Grosjean outclassed Henman in their held-over men's quarter-final, needing barely half an hour to wrap up victory.

Leading two sets to one overnight, 13th seed Grosjean won the fourth set 6-4 with some sublime shot-making to seal a 7-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory.

"I didn't match up well," admitted the Englishman. "I give Seb a lot of credit -- he played better than me. But that doesn't really hide my disappointment and frustration.

"This is the one tournament I desperately want to win."

In his first Wimbledon semi-final Grosjean will face unseeded Australian Mark Philippoussis, who completed a thrilling comeback from two sets down to beat German Alexander Popp 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-3 8-6 on court one. The pair had been level at two sets all and 2-2 overnight.

"God, that last set was a real battle and a little luck gave me the match," said Philippoussis, the 1998 US Open finalist.

HUNGRY RODDICK

Earlier on court one the bookmakers' favourite for the men's title, fifth seed Andy Roddick, made light work of experienced Swede Jonas Bjorkman in their men's quarter-final.

Play on all courts was delayed by two hours, 40 minutes due to rain but Roddick was unflustered as he won 6-4 6-2 6-4 to book his first Wimbledon semi-final.

The 20-year-old American said he was hungry for his first grand slam title. "It's good. Coming into the year I said I wanted to perform better in the slams.

"Up to this point, I have. But I'm not satisfied yet."

Roddick will play 21-year-old Swiss fourth seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals in a meeting of the two hottest young talents in the game.

Federer shrugged off his back complaint to defeat Dutchman Sjeng Schalken, who was struggling with a foot problem, 6-3 6-4 6-4 on court two.

"I am just very, very happy," said Federer, only the second Swiss man to reach the last four of a grand slam tournament since tennis turned professional in 1968.

"I have waited a long time for this and to be in the semi-finals is just a great day for me."



Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Nuclear issue to be 'key topic' of China-South Korea talks ( 2003-07-04) +Gates open to divert flood in Huaihe River ( 2003-07-04) +China to launch two satellites to improve spacecraft safety ( 2003-07-04) +Sanjiang's beauty earns plaudits ( 2003-07-04) +Broken Huangpu River floodwall endangers Shanghai ( 2003-07-04)		+Tennis-Wimbledon-Double Williams joy but Henman flops ( 2003-07-04) +Future US boycott would hit IOC in the pocket ( 2003-07-04) +Bayern Munich set sights on treble glory ( 2003-07-04) +Tennis-Wimbledon-Serena blasts away 'feud' with Henin-Hardenne ( 2003-07-04) +Soccer-Batistuta back in Argentina side for 1978 celebration ( 2003-07-04)