Halep hurries into French Open quarters
Nadal, Djokovic keep going
AFP
AFP, PARIS: Third seed and 2014 runner-up Simona Halep charged into the French Open last eight on Monday with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Spains Carla Suarez Navarro.
Halep is one of the favourites to win the title in Paris and swept aside her 21st-seeded opponent in exactly one hour on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It was the Romanians first win over Suarez Navarro on clay in six attempts.
She will play either Elina Svitolina of Ukraine or qualifier Petra Martic, the world 290 from Croatia, for a place in the semi-finals.
Earlier, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and title-holder Novak Djokovic surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time on Sunday, but reigning womens champion Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16.
Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federers mark of last-eight appearances in Paris.
The 14-time major winner has dropped just 20 games in four matches as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.
Im happy because Roberto is a very good player. Its very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time, said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday.
Probably I didnt play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well.
The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canadas Milos Raonic.
Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic.
Djokovic also became an 11-time quarter-finalist as he sauntered past Spains Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-3.
The Serb needed 75 minutes to clinch the opening set but then outclassed the 19th seed to set up a showdown with Dominic Thiem.
Theres no easy match in a Grand Slam quarter-final, it will be very difficult for both of us, said Djokovic of his upcoming challenge.
The Serb also confirmed that coach Andre Agassi had, as planned, already left Paris.
Austrian sixth seed Thiem thrashed Argentinas Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarters for a second straight year.
Japans Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce challenge from South Koreas Hyeon Chung in an all-Asian tussle held over from Saturday following rain to clinch a place in the last 16.
Chung quickly forced the contest into a fifth set as play resumed on Sunday, but the world number 67 double faulted on match point to gift Nishikori a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory.
Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3).
Kristina Mladenovic ensured the host nation will have two women in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994 after dumping out fourth seed Muguruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
The French 13th seed is through to just her second Slam quarter-final -- after the 2015 US Open -- and will face Switzerlands Timea Bacsinszky for a spot in the last four.
The Swiss 30th seed, a 2015 semi-finalist, defeated 2002 runner-up Venus Williams 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to guarantee a first-time major champion will be crowned next Saturday.
Danish 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki knocked off 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last eight for just the second time.
Wozniacki, who made her only other quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will next meet Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko, a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 winner over 2010 finalist Samantha Stosur.
