(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-04 06:31

NEW YORK - Svetlana Kuznetsova reached the U.S. Open's last eight for the first time since winning the event in 2004 when the fourth seed overcame Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-2 6-3 on Monday.

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia celebrates a point during her victory over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York September 3, 2007. [Reuters]

The 22-year-old Russian needed only 74 minutes to clinch victory after breaking serve five times.

"I feel like I'm getting better every match," Kuznetsova told reporters. "I'm very confident about my game."

Kuznetsova next plays 18-year-old Agnes Szavay of Hungary, who defeated Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko 6-4 7-6.

In the men's event, 2003 champion Andy Roddick went through to the last eight when ninth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych retired with breathing problems.

The fifth-seeded American was leading 7-6 2-0 when Berdych decided he was unable to continue.

Later on Monday, top seed and triple champion Roger Federer plays Spain's Feliciano Lopez under lights.

The Swiss player dropped only one set in his previous three matches.

With holder Maria Sharapova already out, the women's draw has opened up for Kuznetsova.

The Russian is the highest seed left in the lower half and looks set for an extended run.

Kuznetsova took the first five games in breezy conditions in the Arthur Ashe Stadium against an awe-struck Azarenka, who made 16 unforced errors in the opening set.

"It was such a big court and playing against Svetlana I was a little nervous at the beginning," said Azarenka, 18, who put out former winner Martina Hingis in the third round.

"I couldn't get my game together. I started to play better but I just had too many unforced errors today."

Kuznetsova said she was trying to forget her title triumph here three years ago.

"It's in the past," she said of her only grand slam win. "I have to do better in the future."