Kim Clijsters stormed into the semi-finals of the Sydney International with a straight sets demolition of Victoria Azarenka yesterday.

The Belgian world number three re-affirmed her status as favourite for next week’s Australian Open with five service breaks on the way to a 6-3, 6-2 win over the seventh-seed from Belarus in 85 minutes.

Clijsters will face Alisa Kleybanova today after the unseeded Russian overcame Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in the night’s final match.

China’s Li Na will take on Serbian qualifier Bojana Jovanovski in the other semi, after Jova-novski beat Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 6-1 in their quarter-final.

With no Serena Williams in Melbourne next week and the patchy early season form of the two top-ranked women, Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva, Clijsters was in devastating form yester-day.

“I’m happy with the amount of matches that I’m having here so far,” Clijsters said.

“That’s what I’m here for and that’s what I’m trying to improve every match and my opponents are going to become tougher.

“I think like today as well when I’m able to come up with really good shots, it’s a good feeling to have and it definitely boosts your confidence.

“Next week is a completely different week. The open’s a new tournament, but it definitely helps to have had some good matches and to have been tested sometimes too.”