Martina Hingis wasted little energy yesterday in toppling veteran campaigner Conchita Martinez to set up a Sydney International final against archrival Lindsay Davenport.
Defending champion Lleyton Hewitt will play world number four Magnus Norman for the men's crown.
In searing heat, Hingis, the top seed, had the look of someone who didn't want to hang around on court, blazing past the Spainard 6-3, 6-2 in 69 minutes.
Davenport was spared the energy-sapping high temperatures when title holder Amelie Mauresmo pulled out of their semi-final before it started, citing a recurring back injury.
The nagging problem throws the French star's Australian Open plans into chaos.
The world number 16, seeded 13 for the first Grand Slam of the season, said she remained optimistic of playing in Melbourne but only if the pain eased.
The Hingis-Davenport showdown is a replay of last year's Australian Open final which the big American won 6-1, 7-5 and could be a pointer to this year's event.
If the seedings go to plan Davenport will play Hingis for the Grand Slam honours.
The world number one though believes she has the early-season advantage going into their 22nd career contest - which Davenport leads 12-9.
"My standard right now is very high," she said. "I feel confident and I think right now I have a little edge over her because I played the Hopman Cup already.
"I have played more matches than her and tougher ones."
Davenport said she was glad to have a day off. "It's good for me to have a day off, especially as it was so hot. But I had a good practice and will be ready for the final."
On the men's side of the draw, Norman won an all-Swedish joust with Jonas Bjorkman, digging deep to come from one set down to break in the 12th game of the third set and win 57, 6-3, 7-5 in a gruelling two hours 37 minutes.
"I'm just very, very happy with this week," said Norman who came of age last year when he won five titles.
"I think that's going to give me a lot of confidence for the Australian Open. I know that I can do it."
All this just three years after a five-hour operation to correct an irregular heart rate which threatened to end his career.
The Monaco-based Swede will face a tough test though against Hewitt who has looked untroubled all week, although Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean took him to three sets yesterday before the Australian won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
While the Australian won four tournaments last year, he feels he is now ready to make the breakthough in a major.
"I think if everything goes right and I start hitting the ball really well, the path that I've been going on the last couple of weeks, I think I'm going to be a good chance," he said.
