Posted: Mon June 4, 2012 12:47AM; Updated: Mon June 4, 2012 12:47AM

Errani blitzes Kuznetsova, into first Grand Slam quarterfinal

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PARIS (AP) -- Italy's Sara Errani won the first eight games and the last four Sunday to oust 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova from the French Open, 6-0, 7-5.

Errani, seeded 21st, made her second straight Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she'll face 10th-seeded Angelique Kerber, a 6-3, 7-5 winner over Petra Martic.

On a blustery day at Roland Garros, the 26th-seeded Kuznetsova committed 14 unforced errors to only four by Errani during a first set that lasted only 30 minutes.

Kuznetsova, who defeated third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the fourth round, broke serve on the way to a 5-3 lead in the second but dropped four straight games to close things out. That leaves Li Na as the only former French Open champion left in the women's draw.

"I started to play better, the right points at the right time,'' Kuznetsova said. "But at 5-3, I just didn't play the right thing. Maybe I rushed too much. Sara, for her game, it's the best I've seen her play. Her ball is very good on clay. I'm far away from my best form yet.''

Five women have won the last five Grand Slam titles and the last four majors have been won by first-time champions. Errani would fit that category, still in the mix after parlaying the win over Kuznetsova with an earlier victory over another former French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic.

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