Gauff makes Auckland semis, Sabalenka advances in Brisbane

Coco Gauff swept aside Varvara Gracheva 6-1 6-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Auckland Classic on Friday as the US Open champion continued her impressive buildup to the first Grand Slam of the year.

Rain delayed the start of the match, but once play began, Gauff needed only 53 minutes to see off her French rival. The 19-year-old has not dropped a set in her title defence and did not face a single break point on Friday.

The world number three raced through the opening set and took a 4-0 lead in the second before Gracheva held serve, and with dark clouds gathering once again, Gauff was quick to wrap up a victory which pits her against Emma Navarro in an all-American semi-final.

At the Brisbane International, another warm-up tournament for the January 14-28 Australian Open, world number two Aryna Sabalenka overcame Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-4 to set up a semi-final clash with Victoria Azarenka.

Sabalenka stormed through the first set but faced a stiffer challenge in the second as Kasatkina raised her game even though she could not force a decider.

Defending Australia Open champion Sabalenka fired 29 winners, compared to seven by her opponent, to snuff out Kasatkina's hopes of a comeback.

She will meet Azarenka, who outlasted Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 3-6 7-5 to make the last four.

Elsewhere, Elena Rybakina reached the last four after her opponent Anastasia Potapova retired through injury after losing the first set 6-1.

She will meet Linda Noskova, who beat Mirra Andreeva 7-5 6-3, in the other semi-final.