Serena sets up Kuznetsova rematch

Serena Williams has a chance to avenge her recent loss to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Italian Open quarterfinals.

The world No.1 moved into the last eight with a 7-6(7) 6-1 victory over fellow American Christina McHale.

The 34-year-old lost to Kuznetsova in her most recent tournament, the Miami Open in March.

“I think right now she’s probably one of the best clay-court players,” Williams said. “I couldn’t ask for a better match going into Roland Garros, so this is a perfect opportunity for me, win or lose, to see where I am and get ready for what I’m ready for, which is the main event.”

The ninth-seeded Kuznetsova qualified for the quarterfinals with a three-set victory over Australian Daria Gavrilova 6-2 2-6 6-3.

Gavrilova, who had knocked out No.6 seed Simona Halep in the second round, pushed the former French Open champion.

“I was a bit tense because I didn’t know what to expect, basically,” Kuznetsova said.

“I was trying to figure out how I should play. I saw a couple games against Halep yesterday, but that was a weird match – not something to get ideas for today’s game.

“I played her before she went to Australia. I played her once in Dubai. She played totally different game. I know she’s a fighter and she brings lots of balls back, she changes the pace.

“It was difficult match.”

Third seed Garbine Muguruza scored a 6-1 6-4 victory over Jelena Ostapenko, setting up a showdown with 11th seed Timea Bacsinszky, who fought back to defeat eighth seed Carla Suarez Navarro 5-7 7-5 6-2.

Other winners were Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, Japan’s Misaki Doi, American Madison Keys and Czech Barbora Strycova.