Heather Watson couldn't have hoped for better Australian Open preparation.
The top-ranked Briton hasn't dropped a set on her way to Saturday's final of the Hobart International where she will meet American qualifier Madison Brengle.
And win or miss the title in the island capital, Watson is ready for the Melbourne grand slam where she has drawn a first round meeting with Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.
"As far as preparation goes it's brilliant for me," Watson said of her time in Hobart.
"I've got a lot of confidence from these wins, not just from that but how I'm playing.
"I really believe in my game at the moment and it's showing in my tennis."
The World No.49 on Friday overcame America's Alison Riske 6-3 7-5 who sits seven rungs higher in the rankings.
It was an important boost for the 22-year-old and former Japan Open winner, who came to Tasmania from the Perth Hopman Cup where she notched up a straight-sets win over Hobart top-seed Casey Dellacqua.
Her victory over Riske was sweet.
"She's always a tough opponent, she's a real fighter, she's got a lot of energy, so I'm very pleased to beat her," Watson said of defeating the American.
In a match spanning more than four hours, players were forced off the court six times amid rain squalls and winds gusting at more than 45km/h.
One suspension lasted an hour and came just as Watson reached match point for the first time.
"It wasn't easy ... having to adapt our games to the conditions and I felt like instead of serving properly ... it was more just trying to get the ball in the court," Watson said.
In Friday's second semi-final Brengle beat Japan's world No.43 Kurumi Nara 6-4 1-6 6-3.
The American had a medical break after the second set to undergo treatment for a blister on her hand.
World No.84 Brengle started as a qualifier in Hobart and at the Brisbane International where she reached the second round.
Watson and Brengle train together in Florida.
"Maddie's a good friend of mine," Watson said.
"We actually have Christmas with each other every year."
The pair is unlikely to be offering gifts during Saturday's final.
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