4.30pm - Williams edges closer (KS)
The wind has picked up - for the first time all tournament - and we're seeing a few mis-hits and a few fans holding onto their hats in the crowd.
But the edge is still with Williams, who battled off a couple of scares in her last service game to retain the break.
Williams leads 4-3 and will serve in the eighth game, needing to hold twice more to take the title.
4.11pm - Advantage Venus (KS)
The tables have well and truly turned and Venus Williams is now up a break in the deciding third set.
The seven-time grand slam winner displayed her full repertoire of ground strokes in seeing off the Dane's serve in the third game of the set, taking what could prove to be a pivotal a 2-1 lead.
Williams now just needs to remain composed during her own service games and career title No 46 will be hers.
3.59pm - Williams fights back (KS)
We've got ourselves a final. Venus Williams has quickly recovered from an out-of-sorts first set to take the second and send the match to a deciding third.
The American has been frustrated with her play - that much was clear during a first set she lost 6-1 - but she has channelled that anger to come back into the match.
Williams was broken in her first service game of the set but immediately broke back, later taking another game from Wozniacki's service and holding her own to win the set 6-3.
The third is just about to begin, with the title on the line.
3.19pm - Wozniacki with one hand on the trophy (KS)
Caroline Wozniacki made it look all too routine in the first set, breaking Venus Williams twice to win 6-1 in just 31 minutes.
It was the first set Williams has lost this week and the first set Wozniacki has taken from the American in their pair's sixth career meeting.
And, aside from a few powerful shots from Williams, it was all one-way traffic as Wozniacki threatened to turn the marquee match-up into a rout.
3.04pm - Williams broken (KS)
It didn't take long for top seed Caroline Wozniacki to stamp her authority on the ASB Classic final.
The Dane broke Venus Williams in the American's second service game to take an early advantage in the tournament showpiece.
The damage could have been done even earlier but for Williams showing offence can be the best form of defence. The seven-time grand slam champion faced two break points in her opening service game but repelled both with ferocious winners.
Her resistance wouldn't last for long, though, and Wozniacki now leads 3-1.
Saturday 2.40pm - The final countdown (KS)
The match we have all been waiting for is about to begin, with Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams currently undergoing their final preparations on centre court.
Auckland has turned on a day to match the glamorous final between two former world No 1s, with Stanley Street bathed in sunshine and the packed crowd brimming with hats and fans.
Williams has won all five meetings between the pair, though only one match has taken place since 2008. Will past history count for anything? Stay tuned.
Friday 9.30pm - Venus flies into final (MB)
Venus Williams is into her second consecutive ASB Classic final, after defeating Lauren Davis 6-0 6-3.
Williams will play top seed Caroline Wozniacki, who earlier beat Barbora Strycova Zhalvova in three sets.
After being completely overwhelmed in the first set Davis fought back in the second, managing to break her compatriot on two occasions.
But the result was never in doubt, as Williams looked comfortable for the entire match.
The World No18 completed the victory in just over an hour, and now has the chance to go one better than last year, where she the final in lost in three sets to Ana Ivanovic.
8.50pm - Well, that escalated quickly (MB)
Venus Williams has one foot in the ASB Classic final, after cruising through the first set against compatriot Lauren Davis.
Williams took the set 6-0 in a canter, with Davis looking overawed from the start.
It was awkward to watch at times, especially if Davis missed her first serve, and Williams would inevitably pound the next one.
Still, Davis has lost the first set of all her matches so far at the ASB Classic so there is always hope...even if it is slim.
8.24pm - Ominous start from Williams (KS)
There are no storm clouds overhead but there appear to be a few on court, considering the start Venus Williams has made.
After an overpowering opening service game which she won to love, Williams broke Lauren Davis the first time of trying, quickly taking a 2-0 lead.
Davis said before the match it would be a dream to play one of the Williams sister but so far that dream is turning into a nightmare.
8.08pm - Rain, rain, go away (KS)
There's been a bit of a delay before the start of the second semifinal, with some light drizzle leaving the players ready and waiting courside.
Venus Williams and Lauren Davis had completed their warm-up when the rain came down heavily enough to leave the chair umpire suitably unimpressed.
The ball boys and girls got the towels out and, as long as the rain stays away, we should be starting shortly.
7.45pm - Wozniacki through to final (KS)
The first finalist at the 2015 ASB Classic has been found.
No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki has advanced to tomorrow's tournament decider with a tough three-set victory over Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.
Wozniacki came from a set down to beat the Czech, breaking her opponent once in the third set to claim the match 4-6 6-3 6-4.
The Dane will play the winner of the all-American semifinal between Venus Williams and Lauren Davis, which will begin on centre court shortly.
6.57pm To a decider we go (KS)
The dream lives on. Caroline Wozniacki had rebounded from falling a set behind and down a break to level her semifinal against Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.
Wozniacki, the No 1 seed, broke her opponent twice in the second set to send the match to a deciding third, keeping alive the dream of a Wozniacki-Venus Williams final.
Wozniacki looked in trouble when she was broken in her first service game in the second but soon hit back, later breaking the Czech again in the eighth game before serving out the set 6-3.
6.29pm - Wozniacki finally breaks through (KS)
It took 15 attempts but Caroline Wozniacki finally broke the serve of Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.
And, boy, did the No 1 seed need the service break, having fallen into an early hole after having her own serve broken in the first game of the second seed.
The set is now level at 2-2 and, with the first crack appearing in Zahlavova-Strycova's staunch rearguard, the match is intriguingly poised.
6.13pm - Czech takes first set (KS)
No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki has a battle on her hands in the semifinals after Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova claimed the first set 6-4.
One early break of serve was enough for the Czech to put one foot in tomorrow's final, though the rest of the set hinted that Wozniacki would have plenty of opportunities to strike back in the second set.
Whether she takes those opportunities is another question. Zahlavova-Strycova saved all 13 break points she faced in the first set, including an incredible eight in an epic sixth game that also featured 11 deuces.
5.26pm - Advantage Zahlavova-Strycova (KS)
Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova has drawn the first blood in the opening singles semifinal, breaking Caroline Wozniacki's second service game.
After Wozniacki failed to convert a pair of break points in Zahlavova-Strycova's first service game, the Czech made her opponent pay in the third game of the match.
Wozniacki was clearly frustrated earlier in the game - with the Liverpool fan showing a finish Daniel Sturridge would have been proud of in volleying the ball against the net after leaving a forehand short - and that frustration only increased after she double-faulted to cede the break.
The No 1 seed currently trails Zahlavova-Strycova 1-2 in the opening set.
4.27pm - Doubles finalists found (KS)
Tomorrow's doubles final has been set and Shuko Aoyama and Renata Voracova will have the tough task of upsetting the world No 1 pair.
After Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci advanced with a straight sets semifinal win yesterday, Aoyama and Voracova did likewise this afternoon.
The Japanese-Czech pair proved too strong for second seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka, taking the match 6-3 6-3.
Friday 3.56pm - All set for semifinals (KS)
The penultimate day of the ASB Classic is underway, with all attention centred on this afternoon's singles semifinals.
But, for now, it's the doubles entertaining the Stanley Street fans on centre court, where fourth seeds Shuko Aoyama and Renata Voracova have just taken the first set from second seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.
The big names will be on court from 5pm, when Caroline Wozniacki will clash with Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova, followed by the all-American battle between Venus Williams and Lauren Davis.
Check out Michael Burgess' preview of the semifinal action.
Thursday 11.06pm - Davis goes through to semifinal (DS)
American Lauren Davis keeps her title hopes alive after beating Poland's Urszula Radwanska in a fluctuating three set battle.
The 21-year-old showed tremendous spirit to come back from a first set belting to trump Radwanska 2-6 6-2 6-1 in just under two hours.
She now eyes the huge challenge of overcoming compatriot and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams in tomorrow's semifinal.
10.02pm - Davis roars back against Radwanska (DS)
Davis has come storming back to level things by claiming the second set 6-2 over Urszula Radwanska. Will she ride that momentum through the third set or can the Polish qualifier come back and finish the job?
9.15pm - Williams overcomes strong challenge (DS)
Venus Williams is through to the semifinals of the ASB Classic after surviving a tense two set battle with Russian Elena Vesnina.
Williams breezed through the first set but had to overcome a spirited challenge in the second before finishing the match in clinical fashion to win 6-2 6-4 in 82 minutes.
In the evening's last match, Poland's Urszula Radwanska holds the upper hand over American Lauren Davis after taking the first set 6-2. The winner will face off against Williams in tomorrow's semifinal.
7.45pm - Vesnina hanging tough against Williams (DS)
In front of a packed centre court crowd, Venus Williams powered her way through to take the first set 6-2 before Elena Vesnina found some fluency to edge ahead 3-2 in the second.
5.55pm - Wozniacki waltzes into semifinals (KS)
So far, so good for fans anticipating a dream final come Saturday.
Caroline Wozniacki continues to keep up her end of that bargain, beating German Julia Goerges in straight sets in this afternoon's quarter-finals.
Wozniacki claimed the match 6-4 6-4 but didn't have it all her own way, throwing her racquet against the court midway through the second set and appearing frustrated at a line call after falling 0-30 in the decisive game.
But the tournament's top seed held her composure to advance and set up a semifinal against Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova tomorrow.
If Wozniacki wins that encounter and reaches the final, tournament organisers will be hoping Venus Williams does likewise on the other half of the draw. The American will take on Elene Vesnina in her quarter-final at 6.30pm.
5.15pm - Wozniacki claims first set (KS)
No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki has the upper hand in the search for a semifinal spot, taking the opening set against Julia Goerges this afternoon.
In a set that featured three breaks of serve, Wozniacki seized the decisive break to take the set 6-4 in 46 minutes.
If Wozniacki can repeat the dose in the second set the Dane will set up a semifinal clash against Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova tomorrow.
4.00pm - Erakovic and Puig bow out (KS)
The Kiwi involvement in the ASB Classic has come to a close after Marina Erakovic and doubles partner Monica Puig were ousted in this afternoon's quarterfinals.
Erakovic and Puig fell to Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka is a super tie-break after rallying back from a set down. The Czech second seeds proved far too strong in the deciding tie-break, claiming the match 7-6 3-6 10-5 to advance to tomorrow's semifinals.
For Erakovic, the defeat concludes her hometown tournament after losing in the second round of singles against Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova yesterday.
2.20pm - Zahlavova-Strycova into semi finals (MB)
Why do we continue to underrate her? Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova (Czech Republic) is the first semi-finalist at the ASB Classic, disposing of Coco Vandeweghe 6-4 7-5 in just under two hours.
The American had a golden chance to force a deciding set - at one stage up 5-3 and a break in the second set - but dropped her bundle.
Her coach told her "it's up to you - how much do you want this?" after she was broken serving for the set. Evidently not enough as she lost the next two games and the match. Zahlavova-Strycova was again excellent, with a remarkable ability to lift her game on the big points.
The doubles match has just got underway on centre court. It's always a good watch - with the strategy and deception involved.
Erakovic and partner Puig are ahead in the fashion stakes anyway, with much sharper outfits than their Czech opponents Hlavackova and Hradecka.
And the rain has thus far stayed away.
Thursday 1.21pm: Zahlavova-Strycova strikes the first blow (MB)
Czech nugget Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova has struck the first blow in her quarter final against fellow seed Coco Vandeweghe, taking the first set 6-4 in just under one hour. It's been a close encounter but the American has struggled to find any consistency; mixing some sublime touches with some awful errors.
As we saw yesterday Zahlavova-Strycova is no world beater, but she is very solid and tough to play against.
Don't count out the American however; she has an attacking game and if she finds her mojo will trouble the European.
For the first time this week there are some clouds hovering over the ASB Tennis Centre, with one of my colleagues informing there is a 60% chance of rain later this afternoon. It hasn't deterred the crowds on quarter finals day though, with a near capacity stadium. Call it the Venus Williams effect, with the American due on court later this afternoon, for the last match of the day session. Fans will also be here to cheer on local favourite Marina Erakovic, whose second round doubles match is next up on centre court.
Wednesday 10.27pm: Davis wins three set thriller (DS)
American Lauren Davis finished all over compatriot Sloane Stephens to round out a highly entertaining three set victory.
The world ranked 55th Davis upset the sixth seed 1-6 6-4 6-1 in an hour and three quarters, and now looks forward to tomorrow's quarterfinal match-up against Poland's Urszula Radwanska.
10.04pm: Davis roars back against Stephens (DS)
Davis has come back strongly, taking the second set 6-4 and storming to a 4-1 lead in the third.
9.02pm: Stephens looking comfy against compatriot (DS)
The days final match is an all-American contest with Sloane Stephens looking comfortable after claiming the first set 6-1 over compatriot Lauren Davis.
Despite the score line, Davis has been able to compete well in some extended rallies but her rival packs too much power and pace for her to handle. Can she turn things around in the second set?
8.22pm: Wozniacki books place in quarterfinal (DS)
Tournament top seed and world No 8 Caroline Wozniacki booked her place in the quarterfinals of the ASB Classic with a straight sets win over American Taylor Townsend.
The Dane accounted for the wildcard entry 6-1 7-6 in 90 minutes and now faces a tough quarter final match against German Julia Goerges.
5.52pm: Erakovic bows out (DS)
Kiwi Marina Erakovic is left to contemplate what might have been for another year at the ASB Classic after she suffered defeat in her centre court match with Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
Despite roaring back in the second set the hometown favourite lost 6-0 2-6 6-4, with Zahlavova Strycova booking her place in the quarterfinals, where she will face American CoCo Vandeweghe.
The Stanley Street crowd threw their support behind Erakovic but it wasn't enough as her rival hung in to close out a tensely fought match that took almost two and a half hours.
Zahlavova Strycova was a figure of frustration early in the third set and had to put aside an angry exchange with the umpire over a questionable line call and realign her focus.
Erakovic did well to force the match to breakpoint but the tournament's fourth seed was able to serve and volley to match point and went on to seal the result.
4.48pm: Erakovic fighting back (DS)
Erakovic is digging in on centre court, fighting back to take the second set 6-2 against Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
After a nervous start in the first set the Kiwi is finding her rhythm and confidence to hit the ball strongly and move her opponent around the court.
Polish qualifier Urszula Radwanska capped a tremendous fight-back against Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, winning 1-6 6-3 6-1 on the Grandstand Court.
Radwanska will now look ahead to her sixth match of the tournament when she plays a quarterfinal against the winner of tonight's all-American centre court match between Sloane Stephens and Lauren Davis.
4.04pm: Erakovic battling on centre court (DS)
Hometown favourite Marina Erakovic is having a tough time on centre court against Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
The Kiwi has looked jittery after losing the first set 6-0 but has the crowd rallying behind her as she fights to come back early in the second.
Erakovic is aiming to make it past the second round for the first time since 2008, when she advanced through to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, over on the Grandstand Court, Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova took the first set 6-1 over Urszula Radwanska before the Polish qualifier came back to take the second set 6-3.
3.20pm: Williams advance to quarterfinals (DS)
Venus Williams is through to the quarterfinals after dispatching Kurumi Nara 6-4 6-1.
The third seed will now face off against the world No 64 Elena Vesnina, who trumped Ana Konjuh in straight sets earlier today.
On Court Two, German Julia Goerges claimed the first set 6-3 over Czech Lucie Hradecka.
2.40pm: Williams on track against Nara (DS)
Venus Williams served out the first set to win 6-4 against Kurumi Nara, and trails 0-1 early in the second as Kurumi Nara gives her a run for her money.
On the Grandstand Court, CoCo Vandeweghe managed a vital break at 5-5 in the third set before serving out the match 7-5 for the win.
The No. 7 seeded American will now look ahead to a quarterfinal match against either Kiwi favourite Marina Erakovic or Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
1.45pm: Vesnina trumps Konjuh (DS)
Elena Vesnina has gone on with the job to trump Ana Konjuh in straight sets, winning 6-3 6-1 in a dominant display on centre court.
Third seed and seven time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams is now leading 15-0 in the first set of her match against Japan's Kurumi Nara, in the second centre court match.
On the Grandstand Court, Kirsten Flipkens now has a 2-1 advantage in the third set against CoCo Vandeweghe.
Wednesday 1.30pm - Vesnina in control against Konjuh (DS)
The action is underway at Stanley Street with the first games of the day taking place on centre court, where Croatian Ana Konjuh is having a hard time of it against Russian, and five time visitor to Auckland, Elena Vesnina.
Vesnina, a finalist in 2009, is looking strong after winning the first set 6-3 and leads the second 4-1.
On the Grandstand Court Belgian Kirsten Flipkens has fought back against USA's CoCo Vandeweghe, after losing the first set 1-6, to claim the second set tiebreak 7-6(5).
Tuesday 10.27pm - Erakovic advances to round two (DS)
Kiwi Marina Erakovic kept the home crowd waiting before she prevailed in a tense three sets victory over her Puerto Rican doubles partner Monica Puig.
The local favourite secured passage to the second round with a 7-5 2-6 6-4 win, and will now line up against Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the final match of tomorrow's day session.
8.04pm - Wozniacki breezes into second round (DS)
The tournament's top seed Caroline Wozniacki made winning a formality when she eased past Israeli qualifier Julia Glushko in straight sets tonight.
The world No 8 won the crowd over with her classy and powerful play and took just 70 minutes to crush her rival 6-3 6-2 on centre court.
Wozniacki enhanced her status as one of the fan favourites by blowing kisses to the fans and taking time to hit balls into the stands, with Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' filling the airwaves.
She now eyes a second round appointment with American wildcard Taylor Townsend who looked good in her victory over former title holder Yanina Wickmayer yesterday.
The evening crowd are now eagerly awaiting the start of hometown favourite Marina Erakovic's first singles match against her doubles partner Monica Puig.
6.30pm - Venus Williams demolishes Cepelova (MB)
Venus Williams has cruised into the second round of the ASB Classic, demolishing Jana Cepelova in 52 minutes.
Williams was barely tested - her opponent seemed overawed - but still showed plenty of touches of quality. She sent down ten aces, dropped only three points when her first serve landed and broke Cepelova on five occasions.
It's early days but positive signs for Williams, who has already signalled her intention to go one better than her runner-up result at last year's tournament.
The American will face Japan's Kurumi Nara in tomorrow's second round. The two have only met on one previous occasion, with Williams winning in straight sets last year at Wimbledon.
5.14pm - Hradecka dispatches Kuznetsova (DS)
The upsets continue with Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka getting past fifth seed Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets on centre court.
Hradecka fought back from an early setback to win 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in a marathon match that lasted nearly two and a half hours - the longest match of the tournament so far.
Hradecka will now prepare to take on Julia Goerges in the second round.
Out on the Grandstand Court, Russiuan Elena Vesnina has also progressed to the next round, after beating France's Kristina Mladenovic 7-6 6-2.
4.14pm Hradecka roars back in tiebreak (MB)
Czech Lucie Hradecka has come back into the match against Svetlana Kuznetsova, taking the second set in a tiebreak 7-6 (8-6) after losing the first set 6-3. It's anyone match heading into the deciding set though the experience of the Russian should put her in good stead.
The young New Zealand doubles pairing of Rosie Cheng and Katherine Westbury were completely outclassed (6-0 6-2) by Anna Tatishvili and Petra Martic, both top 100 players. However the 16-year-old Cheng - in her first senior doubles match - showed some promise for the future.
On the grandstand court regular ASB Classic visitor Elena Vesnina has progressed to the second round, overcoming French woman Kristina Mladenovic 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.
Meanwhile the main arena is filling up - with a heathly crowd in each of the four grandstands and all but a few of the corporate boxes taken - in anticipation of Venus Williams' upcoming match.
3.20pm Kuznetsova starts strongly against Hradecka (MB)
Svetland Kuznetsova has taken the first set 6-3 against Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka.
Kuznetsova's glory days might be behind her - she won her the first of her two grand slam titles back in 2004 - but she remains a quality player and is supremely fit.
The 29-year-old Russian has been a regular on the tour for 14 years but still seems to love the game and also makes the most of the global nature of the sport; she is an animal lover and tries to visit a zoo in each city she plays in.
Kuznetsova is also ahead in the fashion stakes - her outfit features four different shades of blue while Hradecka has opted for a much more conservative turquoise ensemble.
On the outside courts ever popular Elena Vesnina has taken the first set in a tiebreak over Kristina Mladenovic (France) while the Kiwis doubles combination of Rosie Cheng and Katherine Westbury have just started their first round doubles match.
Meanwhile, the line judges might be petitioning for danger money after this match. On three different occasions the officials have been hit by serves or ground strokes, with their reflexes being sorely tested. Ouch.
2.10pm - Radwanska completes straight sets win (DS)
Radwanska has completed a straight sets win over Schiavone, winning 6-4, 7-5 on centre court.
She now looks ahead to a second round match-up against Daniela Hantuchova.
Meanwhile, out on court two Germany's Julia Goerges enjoyed a straight sets victory over USA's Anna Tatishvili.
Goerges dominated the first set but had some work to do in the second before prevailing 6-1, 6-4.
On the Grandstand Court, the American influence at the tournament continued with young Coco Vandeweghe victorious in three sets over Italian Roberta Vinci.
The 23-year-old New York native won 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, and will now await the outcome of Belgian Kirsten Flipkens' match against Sweden's Johanna Larsson, to learn who she will play in the second round.
1.19pm: Radwanska lights up Centre Court (MB)
Polish qualifier Urszula Radwanska is making all the running in her first round match with Italy's Francesca Schiavone. Radwanska, sister of 2013 ASB Classic champion Agnieska Radwanska, took the first set 6-4 after being up 5-0 at one stage. Radwanska is pulling Schiavone all over the court with her accurate groundstrokes and the Italian is looking increasingly frustrated.
Radwanska is the qualifier everybody would have wanted to avoid; she sits at 174 in the world but that's not really a reflection of her abilities. The 24-year-old has been as high as 29 on the WTA ladder but has been dogged by injury problems in recent years.
On the outside courts Julia Goerges is making swift work of US qualifier Anna Tatishvilli. She won the first set 6-1 and leads 5-3 in the second. Meanwhile Roberta Vinci has taken the first set over Coco Vandeweghe.
It's a scorching day at the ASB Classic and fans are lapping it up. Though the corporate box in front of the media area are setting a cracking pace with the Heinekens and will need to be wary of peaking too early.
