Serena Williams through to last eight

World number one Serena Williams recorded a convincing win over Varvara Lepchenko to reach the last eight of the Italian Open this evening.

The American cruised to a 6-1 6-2 victory to keep on track to defend the title she claimed at last year's event.

Lepchenko broke Williams in the second set but generally had no answer for the power and class that her opponent had throughout the match.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion will now meet Zhang Shuai for a place in the semi-final.