Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro prevailed in a tough three set battle with Varvara Lepchenko in their quarter final tie at the WTA Brisbane International on Thursday (7th January). Meanwhile,Victoria Azarenka powered into the semi finals on Thursday (7th January) with an easy win over Roberta Vinci.

Victoria Azarenka powered into the semi-finals of the WTA Brisbane International tournament on Thursday with a comprehensive straight sets win over Roberta Vinci.

The former world number one dominated her opponent from the start - taking the first set 6-1.

Vinci could not find any answer to Azarenka's powerful play and surrendered the second set 6-2, to give the Belarussian a straight sets win.

Azarenka will now face American qualifier Samantha Crawford in the semi-finals.

Earlier in the day Carla Suarez Navarro and Varvara Lepchenko fought for their semi-final spots in the Brisbane heat.

It was Lepchenko who got off to the better start - finding a break of service in the sixth game of the match on her way to taking the first set 4-6.

However, Navarro fought back and won the second set 6-4 before really asserting her dominance in the third - as showcased by this classy slice.

The Spaniard eventually clinched a thrilling third set 7-5 to set up a semi-final clash with Angelique Kerber.