(Auckland) American Coco Gauff continued the defense of her title in Auckland by defeating Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva 6-1, 6-1 on Friday to reach the semi-final against her compatriot Emma Navarro.
In the other part of the table, the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (25e), seeded number 2, also easily beat the Czech Marie Bouzkova (36e) 6-0, 6-3.
Gauff, world No.3 and 2023 US Open champion, victorious in Auckland last year without losing a single set, is on track to repeat this performance.
The 19-year-old, seeded N.1, only needed 52 minutes to get rid of Gracheva, 42e world, in a new demonstration full of promise as the Australian Open approaches.
She will play in the half against another American, Emma Navarro (31e world), who beat the Croatian Petra Martic (41e) 6-4, 6-3.
In the other half, Svitolina will face the Chinese Wang Xiyu (71e), who ruled out another Frenchwoman, Diane Parry (76e) 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4.