Former champion Kuznetsova eases into quarter-finals

NEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova booked a quarter-final berth at the US Open today after beating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-2 6-3.

It was an efficient 74-minute performance from the fourth-seeded Russian, champion in 2004, who set up a meeting with Hungarian Agnes Szavay or Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine.

The 18-year-old Azarenka, who beat another former champion, Martina Hingis, in the previous round, looked overawed as Kuznetsova cruised through the first set.

Azarenka then lifted her game and led 2-0 in the second but Kuznetsova won six of the next seven games to reach the last eight for the first time since her 2004 triumph.

REUTERS PY VC2230