Former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic remains on track for a Brisbane International final showdown with fellow glamour girl Maria Sharapova.
The world No.7 overcame a slow start on Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday night to seal a 4-6 6-4 6-3 win over 2012 Brisbane champion Kaia Kanepi.
Ivanovic will play Sam Stosur's first-round conqueror Varvara Lepchenko in Friday's semi-finals, with a potential final against five-time grand slam champion Sharapova a real possibility.
The second seed finished strongly after a horrendous opening to the match against world No.52 Kanepi.
The Estonian was quick out of the blocks, racing a 5-0 lead in the opening set.
Ivanovic called for coach Dejan Petrovic for a courtside chat, the pair sharing a brief but animated discussion.
Whatever Petrovic said to his charge appeared to do the trick as the 2008 French Open winner peeled off the next four games to come within one of levelling the set.
Kanepi's nerves were evident as she blew three set points before an overrule by the chair umpire on a shot called long enabled her to seal the opening set.
Neither player took control in the second, which featured seven breaks of serve in just 10 games.
The pair swapped breaks before a double fault by Kanepi in the 10th game handed the set to the Serbian.
Ivanovic found her service rhythm in the decider, quickly claiming another break in the fourth hame of the third set to take an advantage she wouldn't relinquish.
The 27-year-old, who took two hours to defeat Kanepi, will be back on court on Friday afternoon against Lepchenko, before Sharapova takes on Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the other semi-final.
A relieved Ivanovic said the Brisbane event was proving to be a perfect preparation ahead of this month's Australian Open.
"This is a great test," she said.
"Not only physically but mentally as well. Just enjoying being here and playing."
Ivanovic said she was wary of Lepchenko, who defeated Russian lucky loser Alla Kudryavtseva earlier on Thursday to book her semi-final berth.
"We played before and had a close match," Ivanovic said.
"She's been playing good this week - defeated Sam Stosur in the first round. I'm going to go out there and enjoy and hopefully put on a good show for everyone."
Share
