Williams played through the pain to beat Clijsters Photos from the match

Venus Williams admitted she was fortunate to get through her Wimbledon semi-final against Kim Clijsters after aggravating a stomach injury during the first set.

Clijsters, the second seed, was leading 2-1 with a break when Williams called for the trainer and left the court for treatment.

The Belgian went on to take the first set, before a rain break delayed proceedings.

"When the rain came it took my mum and my four sisters to calm me down," said Williams.

"I just panicked - I didn't know if I could play and I couldn't calm down. That is what cost me the first set."

Even if I am less than 100%, I will still play on Saturday Venus Williams Match report: Venus v Clijsters

However, the fourth seed returned after the delay to break three times as she took the second set 6-3 and then booked a second consecutive final meeting with sister Serena by cruising through the decider 6-1.

Clijsters said she had been surprised at Williams' recovery.

"I don't know what her problem was, but she was still serving pretty hard," she said.

"When she came back, she was serving even harder. Obviously on adrenaline, you can do a lot of things."

Williams said she was confident she would be able to play in the final on Saturday.

"Even if I am less than 100%, I will still play on Saturday," she said. "It's not as bad as the first time."

The twice Wimbledon champion was hampered by the same injury at the French Open, where she lost in the fourth round.

Defending champion Serena saw off Justine Henin-Hardenne in the other semi-final, but Venus said she would not expect any favours from her sister on Saturday.

"This is the Wimbledon final - if I'm lame or injured, that's good for her," she said,

"When I play, I don't see the opposition across the net I just see the ball. There's nothing I can do about it and I imagine that's how Serena feels."

She was just too good today, much better than me Justine Henin-Hardenne Match report: Serena v Henin

Serena's match against Henin-Hardenne was expected to be a hard-fought affair after their titanic encounter in the French Open semi-finals, which the Belgian won.

But the world number one was always in control in a 6-3 6-2 victory.

"I think I just played a little better, more than anything I served better," she said.

"I went home after the French Open and worked a little harder than normal. I was definitely really focused."

Henin-Hardenne admitted that she had beaten by the better player.

"Serena played a good match - she was very solid, she served well and she was really aggressive," she said.

"She was just too good today, much better than me. I didn't play my best tennis and I was a little nervous at the beginning of the match. She just deserved it."