Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova came out on top of a vintage claycourt tennis match by outplaying German eighth seed Angelique Kerber 6-4 4-6 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
The 2009 champion from Russia, who is not seeded at Roland Garros for the first time since 2003, set up a meeting with world number one Serena Williams.
Kuznetsova, who dropped to 85th in the world after a six-month injury layoff after Wimbledon last year, says Paris brings the best out of her.
The world number 39 will need her full repertoire against Williams, who advanced to the last eight in straight sets against Italian Roberta Vinci.
The American has been in ominous form this year and is also hoping to create some new Roland Garros memories, having not triumphed in Paris since claiming her only title in 2002.
Last year's beaten finalist Sara Errani beat Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 5-7 6-4 6-3 to book her place in the last eight, and Agnieszka Radwanska beat Ana Ivanovic in straight sets.
