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Henin beats Williams

Justine Henin will try for her seventh Grand Slam title today when she faces Svetlana Kuznetsova at the U.S. Open. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Howard Fendrich Associated Press
Justine Henin will try for her seventh Grand Slam title today when she faces Svetlana Kuznetsova at the U.S. Open. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

NEW YORK – Venus Williams will head to a doctor to figure out why she felt so ill while losing to Justine Henin in the U.S. Open semifinals.

Serena Williams talked about Henin’s “lucky shots” after losing to the Belgian in the quarterfinals.

Whatever the reasons, whatever the rationalizing, know this: Henin has a chance to become the first woman to win a Grand Slam title while beating both Williams sisters along the way.

In a riveting match filled with superb all-court play by both women, Henin reached her third U.S. Open final by beating Venus 7-6 (2), 6-4 Friday.

“I really believed I could do it, and that’s maybe why I did,” Henin said. “I don’t think a lot of people thought I could beat her here in this tournament. I was really proud. It’s not easy to play Serena and Venus, you know.”

The No. 1-seeded Henin will face No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova tonight in a title match featuring two past Open champions. That will be preceded by the men’s semifinals, with No. 1 Roger Federer against No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, and No. 3 Novak Djokovic against No. 15 David Ferrer.

Neither Williams will be there, because Venus left Flushing Meadows the same way Serena did, undone by all those big shots off the racket of the little Henin.

“I just was feeling dizzy, a little sick to the stomach. Was just having some energy problems. I’m not really sure what’s wrong with me,” Venus said. “But, you know, credit to her for playing well.”

Later, the Williams’ mother, Oracene Price, who also serves as their coach, revealed that Venus found out she has anemia after winning Wimbledon in July and has been taking medicine for the condition.

Only once before had someone defeated the two siblings at the same major: Martina Hingis got past Serena in the quarterfinals and Venus in the semifinals at the 2001 Australian Open, only to lose to Jennifer Capriati in the final.

Henin gets to try for her seventh major title overall and second at the U.S. Open. She won the 2003 title, was the runner-up last year, and will be a heavy favorite today – her record against Kuznetsova is 14-2, including a victory in the 2006 French Open final.

Kuznetsova got off to a horrible start in her all-Russian semifinal against No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze.

How horrible? Chakvetadze won the first set despite hitting only one winner.

Then, slowly but surely, 2004 champion Kuznetsova began keeping the ball between the lines, and Chakvetadze began missing shots short, long and wide. In full control late, Kuznetsova defeated Chakvetadze 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.