Serena Williams produced the fightback of tennis career to set up a fourth consecutive Grand Slam final meeting with big sister Venus at the Australian Open today.
The Williams sisters' monopoly of the silverware looked set to be broken by Belgian teenager Kim Clijsters as the fourth seed raced into a 5-1 final set lead in her semi-final against world number one Serena.
Clijsters had two match points on serve with the score at 5-2 in the decider but was unable to take either of them as the top seed produced a fabulous return and an instinctive volley to hang on and then break.
Clijsters, the girlfriend of Australian world number one Lleyton Hewitt, had another opportunity to serve for the match in the 10th game - but fumbled.
Williams later produced a string of winners to reach her fourth consecutive Grand Slam final and her first appearance in the Australian Open final with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win.
"It was an unbelievable battle out there," said Williams.
Williams - who earlier told television interviewers that she thought she had lost when trailing in the third set - later said she had never completely thrown in the towel as Clijsters took command of the final set.
Serena's sister, Venus, posted a brisk 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Justine Henin-Hardenne in her semi on the Rod Laver Arena.
AFP