Svetlana Kuznetsova raced into the quarter-finals of the French Open with a quickfire 6-2 6-3 win over Belarussian Victoria Azarenka on Tuesday.

The Russian fourth seed, the favourite to reach Saturday’s final from the top half of the draw following the exit of world number one Maria Sharapova, was leading 6-2 2-2 when fading light halted play on Monday.

Upon resumption, she dropped only one more game to the 16th seed and clinched victory by drilling a forehand winner.

She will next face unseeded Kaia Kanepi of Estonia for a place in the semi-finals.