Sharapova’s task looked the tougher against 12th seed Agnieszka Radwanska and so it proved as she recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the first set and then saved five set points in the second to triumph 7-6 (7/4) 7-5.
The Russian seventh seed said: “I had quite a slow start. It was 1-4 and 15-40, so I think the one thing that really saved me in the first set was I served really well and kept her off balance and started playing better.”
Sharapova - 13/5 with Victor Chandler to triumph in Paris and, subsequently, complete her set of grand slam titles – now faces Germany’s Andrea Petkovic, who won their fourth-round meeting at the Australian Open in January.
The 15th seed continued to battle her way through the draw as she survived another three-setter to see off Russia’s Maria Kirilenko 6-2 2-6 6-4.
Fourth seed Azarenka was the favourite for the title before the tournament started despite never having been past the last eight at a grand slam and she is the highest-ranked player left after early exits for Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonareva.
Azarenka is yet to drop a set and she was troubled only occasionally today in a 6-2 6-3 victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m improving from match to match. I had a tough opponent, we’ve always had very long matches. I think I came out really playing well. I feel pretty good, pretty confident and I’m looking forward to my next match.”
The Belarusian will now play Li Na in another repeat of a fourth-round clash at the Australian Open, which the Chinese player won before going on to reach the final.
Azarenka added: “I’m really looking forward to taking on the challenge and taking my revenge from Australia.”
Li won six games in a row on Sunday in a 2-6 6-1 6-3 victory that ended the hopes of ninth seed and dark horse Petra Kvitova.
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