• French Open, Day Nine

Azarenka dismantles Schiavone

ESPN staff
June 3, 2013
© AP
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Victoria Azarenka powered past Francesca Schiavone to book her place in the quarter-finals of the French Open.

In a contrast of styles, power got the better of craft and guile as Azarenka, looking to follow-up her Australian Open win, cruised to a 6-3 6-0 success.

For six games, it was an even contest - with Schiavone's mixture of spins and angles proving a match for the power baseline game of Azarenka. But from the moment Azarenka broke to love in the seventh game -the highlight of the game being a stunning backhand smash - it was one-way traffic.

With Azarenka hitting with real power, Schiavone was forced to go for extra zip on her second serve and double faults proved a problem for the 2010 champion.

The one moment of alarm for Azarenka came in the fifth game of the second set, as Schiavone crafted three break points. But on each occasion the Belarusian staved off the threat and she wrapped up victory one game later.

Azarenka's opponent in the quarter-finals will be Maria Kirilenko who claimed 7-5 6-4 win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

It was far from plain sailing for the No. 12 seed as she found herself 4-1 down in the first set and required treatment on a shoulder injury before closing out the match.

Meanwhile, defending champion Maria Sharapova made light work of Sloane Stephens, beating the American 6-4 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Sharapova will meet Jelena Jankovic in the quarter-finals after the Serbian coasted past young American Jamie Hampton 6-0 6-2.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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