Tim Henman has beaten Patrick Rafter of Australia to go through to the final of Sydney International competition.

Pat Rafter: Seeded number one

The British number two will now play Slovakia's Karol Kucera, who came back to beat Australian Michael Tebbutt 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, in the final.

Henman is the defending champion in the tournament but as he is placed 19th internationally, Friday's result confounded the odds.

If he had lost, Henman would have dropped further in the rankings.

Henman goes on to defend his title

His victory is also a terrific boost ahead of the Australian Open next week - the first of the year's four grand slams.

In the draw for the Open, he meets a first round qualifier.

If he makes it through that, he faces Goran Ivanisevic and could later play the British top seed Greg Rusedski.

Serena Williams lost her semi

In the Sydney International women's competition, Serena Williams lost badly to Spain's Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in her semi-finals.

Complaining of an injured leg, she lost 6-2, 6-1.

Her sister Venus could still make it to the final if she wins against the victor in the Barbara Paulus - Ai Sugiyama quarter-final match but hopes of a family final are ruined.
 

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