Errani knocks out Kuznetsova to reach French last eight

Italy's Sara Errani became the first woman into the French Open quarter-finals when she knocked out former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-0 7-5 on Sunday.

Claycourt specialist Errani, who had never gone beyond the second round at Roland Garros before this year, reeled off the first eight games before Kuznetsova won her first game, on a break.

Kuznetsova, the 2009 champion who had beaten Errani in five previous meetings, hit a succession of shots into the net to give away matchpoint in the 12th game and then put a forehand wide.

Errani, seeded 21st, will now meet 10th-seeded German Angelique Kerber.

(Reporting by Clare Fallon; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)