Australia's highest-ranked WTA star, Maya Joint, is on the verge of her third singles title, after advancing to the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open.
In the quarter finals, Joint put away Himeno Sakatsume, ranked number 228 in the world, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Joint lost serve to begin the match, quickly falling into a 0-2 hole against her Japanese opponent. She would again lose serve to trail 4-2, before breaking back en route to winning four straight games and claiming the first set.
The second set would begin much the same, as she fell into an 0-3 hole she could not work her way out of.
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However, Joint would recover in the deciding set, holding serve before breaking Sakatsume in a crucial fifth game, giving her the distance to see out the rest of the match and book herself a spot in the semi-finals.
Awaiting her in the semi-finals will be 27-year-old Spaniard Cristina Bucsa, ranked number 68 in the world. Bucsa herself has never claimed a singles title before, instead being more accomplished on the doubles scene. Bucsa and Joint have never met in singles action before.
Earlier this month, Joint climbed the world rankings to a career-high position of number 32, officially becoming the highest ranked Australian women's tennis player.