Victoria Azarenka eased into the U.S. Open quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Varvara Lepchenko on Monday, setting up a clash against No. 2 seed Simona Halep later this week.
Azarenka, seeded 20th, has enjoyed a relatively comfortable passage at Flushing Meadows so far, and the former world No. 1 has now reached the quarterfinals in four straight years, having been runner-up in 2012 and 2013.
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But things are about to become more difficult starting with the matchup against Halep, who overcame injury and fatigue to defeat Sabine Lisicki 6-7 (6-8), 7-5, 6-2.
Halep, for her part, said she is feeling no pressure from the lofty expectations this year.
"I had many expectations in (the) French Open and Wimbledon and wasn't good, so here I changed a little bit my mind, and I have no expectations," said Halep, who is 44-11 on tour this year.
Halep was forced to dig deep at Louis Armstrong Stadium after needing heavy strapping to her left leg, which she said remained sore after the match.
The grand slam hopeful required medical attention throughout the three-set battle, but the 23-year-old hopes to make a swift recovery in time for the last eight.
Azarenka and Halep last met in 2012, when the former claimed two easy wins on hard courts.
"Azarenka is playing well, started to play well again," Halep said. "She has experience already. She won two grand slam (tournaments). So will be a tough one. But I know that I have my chances.
"I have no pressure. Actually, I feel it. But I play well when I have pressure."
Elsewhere on Monday, Sam Stosur, the 2011 U.S. Open champion, had her campaign ended by Flavia Pennetta as the Italian's love affair with the year's final grand slam continued. For the sixth time in her career, Pennetta is into the last eight at the U.S. Open, her passage booked with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the Australian.
Awaiting Pennetta is No. 5 seed Petra Kvitova, who starred in the big moments as she saw off the in-form Johanna Konta in straight sets.
Kvitova had just two break-point opportunities throughout the match and converted both at crucial stages to reach her maiden quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows via a 7-5, 6-3 victory.
Omnisport's Sacha Pisani contributed to this report.