Serena Williams made up for lost time by racing into the quarter-finals of the French Open.

Having been unable to get on court for the past two days for her fourth-round clash against Elina Svitolina, conditions were finally dry enough on Wednesday to allow play to start on time.

And defending champion Williams needed just 62 minutes to beat 18th seed Svitolina 6-1 6-1.

Conserving energy could well be the key to winning this title, with whoever reaches the final from the top half of the women’s draw having to play four matches in four days.

The sky was resolutely grey and the court damp and heavy, not conditions Williams favours, but she was in total control from the start.

Svitolina is being coached part-time by four-time French Open champion Justine Henin, who twice beat Williams at Roland Garros.

But Svitolina does not possess Henin’s finesse and it was not a happy 34th birthday for the Belgian as she watched her charge get demolished by the power of Williams.

The American won the first four games and it was not until early in the second set that Svitolina finally held serve.

The Ukrainian showed her frustration as the glimpses she had were snuffed out, with Williams saving seven of eight break points.

But this was as comfortable as wins come and Williams moves through to a last-eight meeting with either Carla Suarez Navarro or Yulia Putintseva.