Serena Williams bludgeoned her way to another lopsided win at the French Open on Sunday as she continued her quest for a second French Open title, 11 years after her first.
The top seeded American needed just 70 minutes to dispose of the world's top doubles player, Roberta Vinci of Italy, 6-1, 6-3 and in four matches at Roland Garros this year, she has dropped just 10 games.
The win puts her into a quarter-final matchup against unseeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia who won the title in Paris in 2009 after defeating Williams in a quarter-final thriller.
Kuznetsova, who outlasted eighth seed Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, said she would relish going up again against Williams, even given her current form.
"I mean, she's the best in the world so far. She's been playing unbelievable tennis," she said.
"But I believe that I have the game and my good days, as well. Let's cross fingers I will have a good day on that one. She's just a fighter. She's unbelievable, you know."
Williams said that she expected a tough match every time she comes up against Kuznetsova.
"I mean, the last time we played here she won, so that will probably get her pumped up and she's on a comeback," she added.
"She has nothing to lose but everything to gai. She also wants to do well, and she's won this tournament before.
"I have had some pretty tough matches this claycourt season, and I think for sure that will be another one."
Also through to the last eight was last year's runner-up Sara Errani who overcame stomach pain at the end of the first set to defeat Carla Suarez-Navarro of Spain 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
The Italian will take on fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland who defeated the 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-4 in the last match of the day.
The victory for Williams takes her career-best winning streak to 28, the third longest since 2000 behind sister Venus (35) and Justine Henin (32).
As in the previous three rounds Williams asserted her authority from the start, jumping out into a 4-0 lead. The only trouble she occasionally had came from the windy conditions that disrupted her service action.
Vinci got on the scoreboard when Williams hit long with a forehand in the fifth game but two games later, the set was done and dusted for the American in just 29 minutes.
The Italian had only her textbook slice as a weapon to keep powerhouse Williams at bay and that was never going to be enough.
She did hang on till 3-3, with Williams getting increasingly frustrated with the gusting wind, but there it ended as the American turned on the power once more to speed away.
A second French Open triumph on June 8 would give Williams 16 Grand Slam titles, two short of fellow Americans Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert who are tied for fourth place on the all-time list on 18.
The 27-year-old Kuznetsova won the second of her two Grand Slam titles in Paris in 2009, but since then she has struggled with injuries and loss of form, slipping to 85th in the world rankings at the start of the year.
But a run into the Australian Open quarter-finals boosted her confidence and she once again, as an unseeded player, drew inspiration from the claycourts at Roland Garros to defeat Kerber for her best win of the year.
AFP
Mon Jun 03 2013
Is climate change making tropical storms more frequent? Scientists say it's unclear
Scientists say it remains unclear how much climate change is reshaping the storm season.
Samples obtained by Chinese spacecraft show moon's ancient volcanism
The material provides new insight into the moon's geological history including the oldest evidence to date of lunar volcanism.
The scamdemic targeting the young and vulnerable
Teenagers and young adults are becoming prime targets for a new wave of cyber scams, a trend raising alarm bells across Southeast Asia.
Japanese manicurist takes on plastic pollution, one nail at a time
Before global leaders address plastic pollution, a Japanese manicurist highlights the issue by incorporating it into her nail designs.
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.