Underrated Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli can cap a remarkable tennis comeback when she meets Victoria Azarenka in the Brisbane International final on Saturday.
For the first half of last year, Bartoli was bed-ridden between tournaments as she struggled to overcome mononucleosis.
It saw the 2007 Wimbledon finalist’s ranking drop from the top 10 down to No.17, but she is now showing something near her career-best form at Pat Rafter Arena.
Third seed Bartoli hit the ball incredibly cleanly to win 15 consecutive points against a struggling Amelie Mauresmo before her compatriot retired at 0-4 in their semifinal with a thigh strain.
It put her through to just her second final since overcoming her sickness and victory over the powerful Azarenka would break a three-year WTA title drought.
“I’m just pleased to be healthy and able to play tennis,” Bartoli said on Friday.
“It’s my goal to reach the top 10 again and I think I’m able to do it.
“When you are going through some tough times like last year it helps you to get stronger, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Bartoli never considered retiring but was close to taking an extended break from the tour.
“I was really in bad shape,” she said.
“I was so tired sometimes I was staying at home in bed for three days in a row.
“I was just trying to stay awake for 30 minutes.
“I had absolutely no energy at all for six months in a row.
“I was unable at all to practice and I was going into my matches just like that.
“Finally, after six months, I started to get better.”
Bartoli and Belarussian second seed Azarenka, the only player yet to concede a set, have easily been the standouts in Brisbane.
Mauresmo, who upset top seed Ana Ivanovic, couldn’t tip a winner in a tough encounter between the pair whose games and personalities are as similar as chalk and cheese.
Azarenka, 19, is powerful and intimidating on the court and almost abrupt off, while Bartoli is a technician and tactician who speaks openly and freely.
A runner-up at the Gold Coast at the same time last year, Azarenka is confident she can go one better in Brisbane to bag her first career title after another impressive straight sets win.
The world No.16 took just over an hour to dispose of Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3 6-1, a display highlighted by 85 per cent success rate from her first serve in the second set.
“I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my tennis career,” she said.
“I don’t feel like I’m under pressure.”
In tonight’s session, Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will battle it out for a place in the men’s semifinals.
The scheduled doubles match between Mervana Jugic-Salkic/Shuai Peng and Anna-Lena Groenefeld/Vania King has been awarded to Gronefeld/King in a walkover due to Peng suffering an injury. Taking place instead will be a mixed doubles exhibition match between doubles legend Todd Woodbridge with Vania King and Jugic-Salkic/Ilia Bozaljac.
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