Fifth seed Justine Henin-Hardenne overcame both cramp and her ninth-seeded opponent, Lindsay Davenport, to clinch a place in the last eight at the Australian Open.

At 7-7 in the third set Henin-Hardenne's left thigh cramped up, but she was able to continue after an injury time-out and finally won the decider 9-7.

The match had see-sawed throughout, with first Henin-Hardenne and then Davenport looking certain to win.

After taking the first set 7-5, Henin-Hardenne looked on course for victory in the second set, but stumbled with the finish line in sight and lost it 7-5.

I thought I was going to die Battling Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne

That set up the titanic third set, and after more than three hours of pulsating tennis, Henin-Hardenne claimed her first-ever victory against former Australian Open champion Davenport.

"I thought I was going to die but I played it with my heart and just went for it," said Henin-Hardenne, who was runner-up at Wimbledon in 2001.

"I was cramping and I thought the match was over for me.

"The match was really tough, I just wanted to end it. I wanted to give everything I could."

Both players were slow to find their best form, and after they each won their opening serves, there was a flurry of breaks throughout the rest of the first set.

Henin-Hardenne finally held her serve to go 5-4 up and although Davenport immediately responded in kind, Henin-Hardenne broke the American at 6-5 to take a one-set lead.

The Belgian started much the quicker in the second set and she was just one point from taking a 5-1 lead.

However, Davenport suddenly rediscovered her composure and won six of the next seven games to level the match at one-set all.

Now it was the American who had the momentum and when she took a 4-1 lead in the final set it looked as though she was in complete control.

However, Henin-Hardenne managed to fight back from a double break down and with the players locked together at 6-6 it was anyone's match.

When Henin-Hardenne crumpled to the floor while serving at 7-7 it looked as though Davenport was strong favourite to win.

But, after receiving treatment, Henin-Hardenne continued and she held her serve and nerve before breaking Davenport to claim a famous victory.