Bacsinszky downs Venus Williams in French Open

Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky returns the ball to the US’s Venus Williams during their women’s fourth round match at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris on June 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Eric FEFERBERG

Swiss eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky reached a second consecutive French Open quarter-final with a 6-2, 6-4 win over 35-year-old Venus Williams on Wednesday.

Bacsinszky, who went to the semi-finals in 2015, will face unseeded Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens for a place in the last-four.

Her victory prevented Williams from reaching her fifth quarter-final in Paris and first since 2006.

It also ended the prospect of a Venus Williams-Serena Williams semi-final.

Bacsinszky reeled off nine out of 10 games after slipping 0-2 down in the first set to lay the foundation for her victory.

Venus, the oldest player in the women’s draw, hit just six winners.

Bertens defeated American 15th seed Madison Keys 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final.

The world number 58, who knocked out Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round, has now won 11 matches in succession.

She arrived in Paris having won the Nuremburg claycourt title as a qualifier.