Justine one win away

Justine Henin moved to within one step of emulating fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters by pulverising Chinas Zheng Jie to reach the Australian Open final Thursday.

Henin blew Zheng off court with a quickfire 6-1 6-0 win to set up a final with defending champion Serena Williams after the American had earlier beaten Zhengs compatriot Li Na 7-6 4 7-6 1.

The Belgian is playing just her second competitive tournament after an 18-month retirement and her return to the game mirrors Clijsters,who won last years US Open in her third tournament back after a two-year absence.

Seven-time Grand Slam winner Henin,who has complained of fatigue during the tournament,was ruthless in her demolition of Zheng,rattling off 12 straight games to seal victory in 51 minutes. I feel tired of course. I had a couple of tough matches, Henin said in a courtside interview. I played very aggressive. It was a dream for me this morning to make the final and now I can rest tomorrow and prepare for it.

It will be tough against the best player in the world. She is a real champion. Im very happy she is in my way because she is the best.

Williams had an easy passage too. Although heavily strapped on both legs and appearing fatigued,Williamss serve remained strong and it produced an ace when needed to seal the first set after Li broke back to force a tiebreaker. Li saved three match points when serving to stay in the match at 5-4,and another at 6-5 to force a second tiebreaker but conceded the match when Williams served another ace to seal it 7-1.

Murray makes final

Later,Britains Andy Murray kept his head and moved one step closer to the ultimate prize as he beat Marin Cilic to reach the mens final. The Scot overcame a slow start to get past the towering Croat 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 and set up an opportunity to end Britains 74-year-wait for a mens Grand Slam champion.

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The fifth seed will meet the winner of Fridays second semi-final between Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. It will be the second Grand Slam final for the 22-year-old,who was beaten by Federer in the 2008 US Open final.

He Cilic showed incredible guts8230; he made it so tough for me and fought right till the end, Murray said.