Henin, playing her first tournament since May 2008, fought back from a set and 4-1 down against her fellow Belgian before losing 6-3 4-6 7-6 (8-6) in almost two and a half hours.
It was a similar story in the second set as the power of Williams began to wear downher opponent and a break of serve in the opening game of the second set saw her firmly on the way to the last 32.