Petra Kvitova gave a timely reminder of her Australian Open title credentials when she defeated world No1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 at the Hopman Cup.
The Wimbledon champion held her nerve at crucial moments to see off the Dane for the third time in the last four clashes between the pair.
"It was a great match from both of us. I'm very happy I won," Kvitova said. "It was a small test before the Australian Open. Caroline played very well. It's very good preparation to play here, to play three or four matches."
The world No2 is just 115 ranking points behind Wozniacki and will snatch the No1 spot for the first time if she wins the Sydney International next week.
Kim Clijsters, meanwhile, advanced to the semi-finals of the Brisbane International with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Iveta Benesova.
The Australian Open champion had a tough three-set win over Ana Ivanovic in the second round but barely gave her Czech opponent a sniff.
"I'm very satisfied with the way I played," Clijsters said. "In my previous match I lost my focus a bit. I was really focused on not letting that happen today."
Third-seeded Francesca Schiavone will meet Kaia Kanepi, of Estonia, in the other semi-final. Schiavone saved two match points before coming back for a 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 win over former world No1, Jelena Jankovic.
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