Tournament No. 2 seed Nathalie Dechy threw out the record books with a commanding win through to the semi-finals of the Hardcourts championships at Royal Pines yesterday.

The Frenchwoman had never beaten her opponent, No. 8 seed Austrian Barbara Schett, in three meetings - until yesterday that is.

Making her fifth appearance at the Gold Coast, the world ranked No. 20 recorded a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over the world No. 40.

"I was more consistent this time around," said Dechy.

"In the other matches she has been.

"I was able to move her around a lot and she did not like that too much."

Despite the humid conditions Dechy gave the tournament the ultimate praise.

"It was really humid today and I sweated like never before.

"But it is the perfect conditions to get ready for the Australian Open."

Dechy, 23, will play Russian teenager Elena Bovina in today's semi-finals.