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French Open PHOTOS: Safarova knocks out Ivanovic
Czech Lucie Safarova thrashed 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-3 to storm into the fourth round of the French Open in Paris, on Saturday.
"It's always tough matches with her. It had been a long time since I reached the fourth round here," said Safarova, who made it to that stage - and never beyond - in 2007.
Ivanovic fails to break jinx
Roland Garros has not been a happy hunting ground for Ana Ivanovic since she won the title in 2008 and the popular Serbian failed to break that jinx on Saturday as she bowed out in the third round.
The 23rd seeded Safarova has a 5-2 record against the 11th seed, having won their last five encounters.
Solid Nadal through to last 16
Eight-times champion Rafael Nadal produced yet another rock solid performance to see off Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 and reach the fourth round.
The world No.1, who is undefeated at Roland Garros since his only loss in 2009, extended his record to 62-1 on the Paris clay having not dropped a set at this year's event.
The Spaniard made only five unforced errors in the first two sets - 10 in total - even though he was broken in the second as world No.65 Mayer showed his claycourt skills.
Nadal ended the contest with a service winner to set up a meeting with unheralded Serbian Dujan Lajovic, who beat American Jack Sock 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 and also has yet to drop a set.
Kuznetsova stuns Kvitova
Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion, registered a thrilling comeback to oust Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova 6-7(3), 6-1, 9-7 in three hours 13 minutes on court Philippe Chatrier.
Kvitova took two medical timeouts and came back from the first with a heavily strapped right thigh, but it did not seem to hamper her as she peppered the court with winners.
But her 65 unforced errors eventually cost her as she bowed out on the third match point.
Ferrer continues stroll
Last year's runner-up David Ferrer of Spain continued his stroll towards a possible quarter-final clash against Rafa Nadal with a 6-2, 7-6(2), 6-3 third-round win against Italian Andreas Seppi.
Ferrer blazed through the opening set but let his guard down in the second after an early break and was forced into a tiebreak he won 7-2.
The third set was a mere formality and the fifth seed finished it off on his first match point with one of his trademark forehand winners down the line.
Halep glides into fourth round
Fourth seed Simona Halep glided into the fourth round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 win over Spaniard Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor.
The wily Romanian, the highest seed left in the draw after Serena Williams, Li Na and Agnieszka Radwanska were knocked out early, found perfect angles and defended superbly to counter Torro-Flor's powerful forehand in Paris.
"It's not a surprise because I'm more confident now in myself, and I feel the ball really good here at the French Open," said Halep, who has won more titles in the last 12 months than any other woman except Williams.
Stephens too strong for Makarova
American 15th seed Sloane Stephens proved to be too strong for Ekaterina Makarova in a 6-3, 6-4 win over the Russian left-hander.
The American has shown her consistency on the big stage by reaching the fourth round at six successive Grand Slam events, the only active woman to do so, but her ability to blow hot and cold on the WTA Tour has prevented her from climbing further up the rankings.