Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (Photo: AP)
Women's third seed Victoria Azarenka screeched past Italian former champion Francesca Schiavone into the quarter-finals of the French Open on Monday, winning 6-3 6-0 on Chatrier Court.
Neither player found any rhythm on serve with five consecutive breaks but once Azarenka found her range, she pulled away to advance to the last eight for a third time.
The match began in front of a quarter full stadium with Azarenka's wails and groans, and 2010 champion Schiavone's kung-fu style sound effects echoing around the arena.
From 3-3 in the opening set, Azarenka began to strike the ball with much greater power and Schiavone's challenge soon faded.
Double Australian Open champion Azarenka will face either American Bethanie Mattek-Sands or Maria Kirilenko next as she targets a first semi-final appearance at Roland Garros.
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