Williams looks to Wimbledon following French exit

Venus Williams set her sights on claiming a fourth Wimbledon title after bowing out of the French Open at the quarter-final stage.

The American 11th seed was defeated by rising Czech star Nicole Vaidisova, who fought back from a set down to take a 6-7 (5/7) 6-1 6-3 victory in two hours and eight minutes.

“I am disappointed, I would have loved to have done better,” said Williams, who has missed much of the season with various injuries.

“I produced a pretty decent first set but she played really good tennis and deserved the win.”

Williams is hoping for a better result at Wimbledon, where she was champion last year, as well as in 2000 and 2001.

“I want to win again at Wimbledon,” the 25-year-old added.

“I have overcome a lot of physical challenges in recent weeks and I am going to work harder now.

“You’ll definitely see a lot more consistency at Wimbledon.”

Victorious Vaidisova refused to get carried away by her success, even though she only managed to get to the second round last year in her first appearance at Roland Garros.

“I am very excited to be through but I am not thinking about the title,” said the 17-year-old Czech.

“I don’t think things like ‘I am two matches away from the title’.

“The next match will be incredibly hard so that’s all I can concentrate on. I know I’ll have a good chance if I play well.”

Vaidisova, the 16th seed, will take on eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semi-finals on Thursday after the Russian fought back from a 5-1 deficit in the first set to sink compatriot Dinara Safina 7-6 (7-5) 6-0.

“I am playing without any pressure,” said Kuznetsova following her victory.

“I play the best I can and I have done very well so far. I like playing on clay.

“I have chances against Vaidisova and if she wants to beat me she’s going to have to play well.”

In the other semi-final, defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne will meet fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters.

Henin-Hardenne, the fifth seed who won the French Open in 2003 and 2005, overcame Germany’s Ana-Lena Groenefeld 7-5 6-2 while world number two Clijsters of Belgium progressed through by ousting 12th seed Martina Hingis 7-6 (7-5) 6-1.