Williams through to last eight

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Williams, the eighth seed, produced her best performance of the tournament so far in winning 6-2 6-3 on Philippe Chatrier court in an hour and 16 minutes.

Henin will join Williams, the 2002 winner here, in the last eight if she beats Austria's Sybille Bammer on Suzanne Lenglen court later on Sunday.

Williams was in unforgiving mood throughout, but especially in the first set, which she won in 36 minutes.

She went 4-0 ahead after breaking Safina, seeded 10, twice and holding her own serve with relative comfort.

After the Russian claimed her first game, Williams found herself 30-0 down on her own serve in the sixth, but won four points in a row to take it.

The American number one set up two set points in the seventh with some thunderous passing shots, but her backhand then misfired as she squandered the opportunity. Safina regrouped to hold. But it was a temporary reprieve as Williams claimed the set in the eighth game, on her third set point.

She began the second set in a similar vein, breaking her opponent to love, but was then broken - for the first time in the match - by Safina.

A determined Williams stepped up the pace though, winning four straight points on the Safina serve to go 4-3 up and then holding with ease to go to the brink of victory. A Safina error on Williams' first match point gifted the win to the American.

Precocious teenager Nicole Vaidisova, the sixth seed, also made her way into the quarter-finals by thrashing Italy's Tathiana Garbin 6-3 6-1 on Court 1.