Sublime Serena demolishes Svitolina at Roland Garros

Having been kept waiting for two days due to rain at Roland Garros, Serena Williams wasted little time in easing past Elina Svitolina on Wednesday to reach the French Open quarter-finals.

The reigning champion had been prevented from playing on Monday and Tuesday due to continued showers, but enjoyed a comfortable morning's work on Court Philippe Chatrier when her fourth-round match belatedly took place.

World number 20 Svitolina, who is coached by four-time French Open winner Justine Henin, fell 4-0 down inside 12 minutes and found herself outclassed as Williams triumphed 6-1 6-1.

Svitolina's second serve was ruthlessly targeted by the world number one, who made light of a predictably slow court and heavy balls to repeatedly take the attack to her 21-year-old opponent.

To her credit, Svitolina was able to enjoy occasional success on the Williams serve, claiming a solitary break in the opener before earning seven further opportunities, which ultimately went begging, in the space of two games in the second set with the aid of several impressive return winners.

Williams was in command for the majority of the encounter, however, as she set up a last-eight meeting with Carla Suarez Navarro or Yulia Putintseva.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN

Williams (1) bt Svitolina (18) 6-1 6-1

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Williams - 27/17

Svitolina - 10/15

ACES

Williams - 8

Svitolina - 0

BREAK POINTS WON

Williams - 6/8

Svitolina - 1/8

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE

Williams - 51

Svitolina - 62

PERCENTAGE POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE

Williams - 72/50

Svitolina - 39/19

TOTAL POINTS

Williams - 64

Svitolina - 35