Robin Soderling's smooth build-up to this month's Australian Open continued with a business-like 6-3, 6-2 victory over local qualifier Matt Ebden in their Brisbane International quarter-final on Friday.
The Swedish world number five broke his 196th-ranked opponent once in the first set and twice in the second before sealing the 71-minute match with an ace.
"I've been serving really well all week. I haven't been broken yet and today especially I managed to serve really well when it really matters," said double French Open finalist Soderling, who has not dropped a set in the tournament.
"I still know that I can play better. I've played three pretty solid matches so it feels good coming into tomorrow's semi-final," he added.
Soderling will meet last year's finalist and 2009 champion Radek Stepanek in the semi-finals, after the Czech 32-year-old upset seventh-seeded German Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-3.
"I've played against Radek many times and we've always had tough matches so I have to stay focussed on this one," Soderling added.
Defending champion Andy Roddick will contest the other semi-final in a big-serving shootout with towering South African Kevin Anderson.
In the women's draw, former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli of France will battle for a place in the final with Germany's Andrea Petkovic later in the evening session.
