Maria Sharapova cruises into last four of WTA Brisbane International

The top seed for this WTA Premier hard-court event, Sharapova looked in imposing form in Queensland's capital, thrashing Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3.

Sharapova, who will be one of the favourites for the Australian Open later this month, needed just 68 minutes to advance.

Suarez Navarro, the Spanish seventh seed, was expected to test Sharapova - a player she beat in Montreal last year.

But the five-time grand slam champion was in control from the outset, breaking serve four times in the first set and once in the second.

Sharapova would perhaps have been expecting to meet Kerber in the last four, but talented Ukrainian Elina Svitolina awaits instead.

Svitolina edged German third seed Kerber 4-6 7-5 6-3 in an impressive display.

It was a tenacious victory, given Svitolina trailed a set and 3-0 - Kerber breaking twice early in the second set.

But winning four straight games swung the momentum and Svitolina broke to love in the 12th game to level the match.

Svitolina's break for 3-1 in the third proved to be decisive as she claimed victory in two hours, five minutes.

On the other side of the draw, American Varvara Lepchenko battled past Russian lucky loser Alla Kudryavtseva 7-5 7-5.

Lepchenko will now meet Serbian second seed Ana Ivanovic, who prevailed 4-6 6-4 6-3 against 2012 champion Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.