Swiatek demolishes Potapova to reach French Open quarter-finals

DIMITAR DILKOFF/ AFP

World number one Iga Swiatek continued her relentless march to a fourth French Open title with a 6-0 6-0 demolition of former junior rival Anastasia Potapova in 40 minutes to reach the quarter-finals.

Potapova was in uncharted territory, playing in the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, and Swiatek took full control of the play, giving the Russian no time to breathe between a flurry of points.

Such was the top seed's domination that Potapova won only 10 points in the encounter as Swiatek extended her win-streak on clay to 16 with the quickest match of her career.

The pair had met before at junior level where Potapova had come out on top in what Swiatek described as "heartbreaking matches" but in their first meeting as professionals, the Russian was truly outclassed.

"I had just a thought that times change a little bit because I remember she was always the player to beat me. I don't think I won against her... We always played against each other (at) European championships," Swiatek told reporters.

"Honestly, there's no point thinking about that, but I had just a thought. It lasted two seconds and then I was focusing on my work because that's the best thing I can do.

"I'm just proud of myself and the work that I've put to be in this place. Everything changed because I'm just older and I play better."

Swiatek will next face Marketa Vondrousova in the quarter-finals after the fifth seed defeated Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic 6-4 6-2.

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