Kvitova battles past Hantuchova to meet Li Na

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova set up a semi-final clash with defending champion Li Na after an emphatic straight sets victory over Daniela Hantuchova at the Sydney International on Wednesday.

The Czech world number two reeled off the opening eight games before dishing out a 6-0, 6-4 victory over the stunned Slovak number 21. Earlier French Open champion and world number five Li beat Czech Lucie Safarova 6-2, 7-6 (7/3).

Kvitova, who like her next opponent Li has been in top form in preparation for the season's first grand slam in Melbourne next week, swept to victory breaking Hantuchova's service five times for her fourth win over the Slovakian.

Kvitova is on track to face Wozniacki in a possible one versus two in Friday's Sydney final.