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   The Belgian world number one concluded back-to-back wins over both of the American Williams sisters after defeating Serena in the quarter-finals.

   "It's a great feeling, I really believed I could do it, and that's maybe why I did achieve that," Henin said. "I don't think a lot of people thought I could beat her here in this tournament."

    "It's not easy to play Serena and Venus. I think I just did a great job but my tournament is not over yet," she added. "I just hope I can have a good recovery and get ready for tomorrow night."

     Henin will take a 14-2 record into the Saturday night championship match against Svetlana Kusnetsova, who ousted fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

    Henin complained of breathing difficulties to the trainer during a tight contest lasting just over two hours while Williams said she felt dizzy and had her pulse taken before playing on early in the final set.

    "I just was feeling dizzy, a little sick to the stomach. I was having some energy problems," said Williams "I'm not really sure what's wrong with me. But credit to her for playing well."

     "I had the feeling we were both fighting a lot," said Henin. "I had some breathing problems for a couple of months, but much more the last two, three days."

     "I could say I wasn't hundred per cent, but I was fighting on every point. She probably did the same," she added. "It was just a good match. No complaint about that."

      The up-and-down second set featured five breaks of serve, with the Belgian finally triumphing on a pair of Williams return errors to move into her second Grand Slam final of the season.

      A year ago, Henin lost the trophy match to Maria Sharapova, three years after winning the title in New York.

     The win was sweet revenge for Henin, who stood 1-7 against Williams, her lone win occurring in their first match in 2001. Their last meeting occurred four years ago.

     Kuznetsova looked miserable in the opening set of her all-Russian clash with Chakvetadze, seeded sixth.

    The former champion was well off her game in windy conditions, striking 21 unforced errors in the first set but culling that number drastically to 14 in the concluding pair of sets.

    After trailing a set, 1-0, and 40-0, the 22-year-old started to pull herself together, slowly turning the tide to eventually win 12 of the last 13 games.

    "I guess when you put the ball in court, you win. When you hit it out, you lose. This is basically it," said Kuznetsova. "I was so nervous in the first set, I knew it was my opportunity. But every ball I hit, I hit it with the frame, the handle, somewhere out."

      Chakvetadze looked close to tears as her first Grand Slam semi- final appearance evaporated in front of her eyes. The 20-year-old will nevertheless rise to a career-high number five in the WTA rankings on Monday while Kuznetsova will become the third Russian after Anastasia Myskina and Maria Sharapove to hold world number two.

     Kusnetsova showed no mercy as she closed out the win, putting over a volley winner for two match points and claiming victory when Chakvetadze sent a final forehand wide.

    "It was so tough today," said Kuznetsova. "I was so embarrassed with my game in the first set. Luckily I was able to lift."

   The win was the 20th in New York for Kuznetsova who now stands 3-0 over Chakvetadze.