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Reuters
Reuters
Sport
Julien Pretot

Halep in haste as defending champion swings into last eight

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2019. Romania's Simona Halep reacts after winning her fourth round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

PARIS (Reuters) - Defending champion Simona Halep hurried into the French Open quarter-finals by sweeping aside Polish teenager Iga Swiatek in a 6-1 6-0 victory on Monday.

Third seed Halep produced a nearly flawless performance on Court Philippe Chatrier against a bold opponent who turned 18 last Friday.

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2019. Romania's Simona Halep reacts after winning her fourth round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

The Romanian will now face another teenager, American Amanda Anisimova, who thrashed Spain's Aliona Bolsova 6-3 6-0.

"I feel old," joked the 27-year-old Halep.

The former world number one said she had been coping well with the pressure of being defending champion at Roland Garros.

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2019. Romania's Simona Halep reacts after winning her fourth round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

"I saw it different since the beginning. I felt different. I felt more relaxed, even if the pressure was on," she said.

"I feel good in this position and I always say that even if you're No. 1, you win a Grand Slam, you have to enjoy the moment.

"So I did that pretty well this year. Back to the quarter-finals is not easy, so I'm thinking just to give my best again next round. It's just what I'm thinking about."

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2019. Romania's Simona Halep reacts after winning her fourth round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

Swiatek came out with all guns blazing but failed to master her raw power, bowing out after 45 minutes when Halep whipped a forehand winner down the line.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 3, 2019. Romania's Simona Halep in action during her fourth round match against Poland's Iga Swiatek. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
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