Serena progresses to quarter-finals

Serena Williams breezed into the quarter-finals of the US Open after beating Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The eighth seed’s victory against the number 10 seed from France keeps alive the possibility of an all-Williams semi-final against sister Venus.

Bartoli, who lost in the Wimbledon final to Venus in July, took the opening set’s first two games before the 1999 and 2002 champion held serve and broke her opponent twice.

Williams’ powerful serve was working well, resulting in five aces in each set. She also produced a total of 32 winners to Bartoli’s 10.

Bartoli exits the tournament after her best performance here, reaching the fourth round for the first time in six appearances.

For the prospects of a Williams reunion to be maintained, Serena’s 12th-seeded older sibling must find a way past number five seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia. The two square off tonight.

Top seed Justine Henin is also scheduled to play this evening. The Belgian goes up against 15th seed Dinara Safina of Russia.

Third seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia faces 19th-seeded Austrian Sybille Bammer in the day’s final match at Louis Armstrong Stadium.