Azarenka into Rome quarterfinals

Belarusian number one Victoria Azarenka (World No.29) reached the Italian Open quarterfinals by beating Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu (31) 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.

Victoria Azarenka beat World No.60 Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in the opener and saw off World No.5 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) in the second round.

The Belarusian will next face World No.3 Maria Sharapova of Russia. The head-to-head record between the two players is 7-7 in the 14 previous encounters.

Victoria Azarenka is making her eighth appearance at the tournament in Rome. Her best result was the final in 2013 where she lost to Serena Williams.

The tournament in the Italian capital will complete on 17 May.