Top-seeded Justine Henin of Belgium has defeated number seven Serena Williams of the United States to advance to the semifinals of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London.
The world number one Henin defeated Williams, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Wednesday and will play Marion Bartoli in the final four. The 18th-seeded Frenchwoman became the first player to reach the semifinals when she eliminated number 31 Dutchwoman Michaella Krajicek, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Earlier, number 23 Venus Williams of the United States filled out the quarterfinal field by overpowering second-seeded Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-3. The elder Williams sister will play fifth-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the round-of-eight.
In the men's draw, third-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States completed his weather-postponed fourth-round match, eliminating Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5. The American advances to the quarterfinals where he will play Richard Gasquet, after the Frenchman topped compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Meanwhile, second-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal will take on 14th-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round after completing a marathon 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5 win over Sweden's Robin Soderling. The weather-battered match started on Saturday and was interrupted seven times by rain.
In another rain delayed third round match, fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia ousted Germany's Nicolas Kiefer, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6. His next opponent will be number 16 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
