Star attractions Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams have taken contrasting paths in setting up the dream final at the ASB Classic tennis tournament.
Top seed Wozniacki had to overcome staunch and prolonged resistance from No.4 seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova before booking her place with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory.
Williams, the third seed, was relatively untroubled in getting past fellow American Lauren Davis 6-0 6-3.
It meant back-to-back Auckland finals for Williams, who lost to Serbia's Ana Ivanovic last year.
The seven-time grand slam champion will go into the title decider on Saturday with history on her side.
She has won all five of her previous meetings with Wozniacki, and without dropping a set.
Wozniacki, the world No.8, took two hours and 35 minutes to subdue Zahlavova Strycova in a contest that featured plenty of high-class action.
"It was a really tough one," she said.
"She's a tricky player to play because she doesn't give you much rhythm. She comes to the net, she mixes the pace."
Despite the length of the encounter, Wozniacki, who ran the New York marathon in November, said she felt in good shape throughout.
"We were out there for a long time and the longer we went, I was still not feeling tired, and that was a positive for me," she said.
Zahlavova Strycova, the world No.26, was able to withstand intense pressure to take the opening set.
She claimed an early break after producing a couple of excellent drop shots, including one from behind the baseline.
But at 3-2 up, her serve came under heavy examination in a marathon sixth game.
She found herself 15-40 behind but went on to save a total of eight break points, and serve four aces, before holding, letting out a huge scream in the process.
She was again forced to dig deep in her next service game, down 0-40 but once again managing to find a way out.
In all, she saved a remarkable 13 of 13 break points during the opening set.
Her momentum continued early into the second set when she broke in game one, but Wozniacki levelled immediately, finally converting her 15th break-point opportunity of the match.
The pair were engaged in some lengthy rallies but it was Wozniacki who pulled ahead to take the second set.
Zahlavova Strycova refused to go away, although Wozniacki was able to take advantage of her one break-point chance in the deciding set to edge in front.
Even then, she had to save two break points in the final game before securing victory.
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