Hingis sails into Gold Coast last four

Swiss star Martina Hingis made it to her first semifinals since her return, as she defeated Spain’s Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 at the Australian Hardcourt Championships on Thursday.

The 25-year old Swiss overcame the high temperatures of the Gold Coast, which forced the players to take a 10-minute break, as she cruised to her third consecutive singles victory.

"I know I can last three sets now, especially mentally," Hingis was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"I would have been pretty hard on myself if I had lost this match because I had it totally under control,” admitted the five-time Grand Slam winner.

Hingis next faces Italy’s fourth-seeded, Flavia Pennetta who ousted the Swiss’ doubles partner, Tatiana Golovin 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

Russian world number 20, Dinara Safina and rising star Lucie Safarova claimed the remaining two spots in the last-four stage.

Safina reached the semifinals after posting a convincing victory over Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues while Safarova stunned the tournament’s top-seed and defending champion Patty Schnyder.