Defending champion Petra Kvitova sent tumbling by Victoria Azarenka in Toronto

Victoria Azarenka has advanced into the third round of the Rogers Cup after beating 2012 champion Petra Kvitova in straight sets.

The Bulgarian remains on course for a first title in Toronto after brushing aside the third seed 6-2 6-3 in precisely 90 minutes.

Azarenka barely broke sweat as she cruised into a first-set lead, inflicting two breaks of serve en route to a 4-1 advantage, before seeing out the opener in comfortable fashion.

Ominously, the second set began the same way as the world number 21 broke Kvitova twice to race 4-1 ahead and leave herself two games from the next round.

Kvitova offered a brief resistance by reducing the arrears to 4-3, but it merely slowed the inevitable as Azarenka closed out the victory from there.

She faces Sara Errani in the next round.