Novak Djokovic may not yet be at his best at the Australian Open, but his favourable draw has him well-placed for a third straight title at Melbourne Park.
The Serbian, aiming to become the first man in the Open era to win a hat-trick of Australian Open crowns, can still get better.
Djokovic stunningly thrashed Ryan Harrison in the second round before professionally dispatching of Czech Radek Stepanek.
But Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, producing one of his finest performances, pushed him for five hours.
He got through that gruelling test and backed up two nights later to get past Tomas Berdych.
The Czech fifth seed rued a missed opportunity afterwards, saying he had seen Djokovic play 'much, much better'.
But, worryingly for his rivals, the 25-year-old is still alive and in an 11th straight grand slam semi-final.
Soon-to-be world number four David Ferrer awaits, but the Spaniard has largely failed to trouble the big guns.
Ferrer is consistently solid from the back of the court but lacks the weapons to outplay the likes of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic will need to be well below his best to miss out on a 10th grand slam final and he has two full days off before his clash with Ferrer.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could challenge Federer while Murray should ease past another Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy, on Wednesday.
With an extra day's rest ahead of the semi-finals, if Djokovic makes quick work of Ferrer and Murray and Federer push each other, the Serbian takes an upper hand into the decider.
You take your lucky breaks when you can get them and the Friday before the Australian Open started handed Djokovic a couple.
His fitness is unmatched on the tour and while he is yet to recapture his best form, he has days of practice and 'The Wall' Ferrer to help.
The faster courts at Melbourne Park this year suit Federer but he has his own battles to fight before he can start thinking about a Djokovic match-up.
Djokovic meanwhile appears perfectly placed and producing his best is surely a matter of when, not if.