The world number twenty nine made the brighter start as a double break saw her ease her way to the opening set 6-2.
But the wind was a major factor in the second set and it was Williams who coped the better of the two players as she fought back from a 4-2 defect to level the match at a set a piece.
But Williams, who has been out of action since the Australian Open with a hip injury, was not able to keep it up in the decider as an early break gave Hantuchova the momentum.
Williams got just two games on the board in that final game as Hantuchova reasserted her dominance to wrap up a 6-2 5-7 6-2 victory.
Speaking to the BBC after the match Hantuchova said: "I felt I came out and played well early in the match.
"But then the wind picked up and it got difficult for both of us. It was then about who had the mentality and I came through.
"This is my most favourite time of the year - the grass season - and I'm feeling really good. My form is good."
Hantuchova will now face Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals as she had to fight back from a set down against Agnieszka Radwanska.
It was all Radwanska in that opening set as she took it 6-1 before Kvitova finally pulled herself together in the second set.
It was an equally one sided set as Kavitova dropped just two games on her way to levelling the match at a set a piece.
The decider was much more competitive and a tie-break was required to decide the winner and it was Kvitova who came through 1-6 6-2 7-6 (7-2).
source : http://www.femalefirst.co.uk
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