Henin downs Williams in grudge match

The world number one was in a dominant mood as she deservedly claimed a 6-4 6-3 victory on Philippe Chatrier court.

Henin will play Jelena Jankovic, the fourth seed, in the semi-final.

Much of the build-up to the match had centred around the two players' fractious tussle in the semi-final here four years ago. On that occasion, Williams had left the court in tears after incurring the wrath of a hostile crowd during Henin's three-set win.

But both women were afforded a generous welcome by the public as they entered a half-full stadium under grey skies. Henin was more consistent throughout, with Williams - the eighth seed - particularly profligate on her faltering backhand.

The top seed needed just one break in the first set and that came in the very first game, Williams failing to put away an overhead then a simple volley before Henin produced a cross-court winner.

The second set opened up in the same vein as the first, Henin breaking in the opening game after Williams' attempted backhand drop-shot fell well short. The American slammed her racket on the floor, resulting in a round of boos from the crowd after 48 minutes played.

Williams recovered her poise and broke back to love in the following game but she was still making more errors than the Belgian, whose consistency was earning its rewards.

The match went with serve until the fifth game, when a Williams backhand into the net gave Henin her third break of the contest.

Henin was not troubled thereafter and she sealed only her fourth win over the American in 10 attempts when Williams crashed a forehand into the net on the first of the Belgian's two match points on the American's serve.