Sabalenka, Nishioka power into Adelaide semi-finals

ADELAIDE - World number five Aryna Sabalenka held off Marketa Vondrousova to book her place in the Adelaide International semi-finals on Friday in a boost to her Australian Open preparations.

The Belarusian overcame hot conditions to dismiss her Czech opponent 6-3, 7-5 in 1hr 34mins to continue her strong 2022 late-season form where she finished runner-up at the WTA Finals.

The second seed's reward is a last-four clash with Russian world number nine Veronika Kudermetova or Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu.

"It was a tough match and she fought until the end and I was really happy I was able to win this match," Sabalenka, who is yet to win a Grand Slam, said.

"I think because I'm staying really calm and I feel like I'm at home here, that's why I play really well.

"I haven't dropped a set yet. Hopefully I'll keep going like that."

Sabalenka broke for 3-2 in the first set and closed the set out on her 15th winner.

A double break in the second set put her 4-1 ahead before Vondrousova battled back, only to be denied as the Belarusian regrouped to take the match.

The Australian Open starts in less than two weeks.