Angelique Kerber remains on course to reclaim the World No 1 spot after beating Ana Konjuh 6-3 6-2 to reach the semi-finals at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The German needs to win the event in order to supplant Serena Williams at the top of the rankings and she will next face Elina Svitolina in the semis.
Kerber won two Grand Slam titles and reached the Wimbledon final last year but has made a modest start to the 2017 season.
However, she has looked good in Dubai so far and was pleased with her display against Konjuh.
"I'm really happy about the match today again," said Kerber.
"Ana is a tough opponent, she's going for it. You have to play until the last point.
"It was nice to get through in two sets. I was just focusing on myself and trying to take the rhythm from the last days.
"The match with Svitolina will be another tough one. I have to be aggressive. I'll just try to enjoy the next match and of course I will try to go out there and to win another match here."
Svitolina is on the up herself and will break into the top 10 for the first time if she __can claim the title.
The seventh-seeded Ukrainian reached the final four with a 6-0 6-4 defeat of Lauren Davis.
"I'm really happy with the way I started and the way I finished the match," said Svitolina. "I was being very aggressive and it worked really good.
"I was calm and positive today. I'm really happy with the performance."
Tenth seed Caroline Wozniacki is playing well this season too and she got the better of 17-year-old Californian Catherine Bellis 6-3 6-2.
She will now face Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova, who defeated Wang Qiang 6-4 7-5.
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