Hingis's win - her first over Williams since the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2001 - sent the Swiss through to a final against 16th seed Dinara Safina, who edged out fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the other semi-final.

After a litany of unforced errors in the first set, Hingis slowly worked her way back into the match before snatching a crucial break in the eighth game of the decider and serving out for victory in a match between two former world number ones.

"In the first set I felt like I could cry. I was missing my shots by a little bit and my timing was out," said Hingis, who also beat Williams on her way to winning the title in 1998.

"It's amazing that I played Venus in the semi-finals again eight years later.

"Rome has always been a special place for me and I'm happy to have made another final."

Hingis lost her only previous final this year, in Tokyo in February, to Elena Dementieva.

Related News:

v Hingis, Venus Reach Rome Semi-Finals 2006-05-20

v Clijsters Beaten by Safina in Rome, Hingis Wins 2006-05-19