Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova says the French Open is one of the “most important tournaments” in her life after the Russian reached her seventh quarter-final in Paris.

Despite getting broken three times by Czech No23 seed Lucie Safarova, Kuznetsova managed to secure passage 6-3, 6-4 in 80 minutes to set up a last eight clash with fourth-seeded Simona Halep.

“This is one of the most important tournaments of my life,” said Kuznetsova, who beat Halep earlier this year on clay in Stuttgart. “It doesn’t matter who won the last time, it’s going to be a new match in a grand slam quarterfinal.

"It’s going to be amazing, difficult, and exciting to play against her.”

Halep reached her second consecutive major quarter-final after overcoming a stubborn Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3 in a match that saw the Romanian convert all six break points she had.

“I think I managed very well the match as I opened the angles. I wanted her to run a lot on court. I think I played aggressiv and I dominated the match,” said Halep.

Earlier in the day, Andrea Petkovic reached her first grand slam quarter-final in three years with a tough 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.

She faces Italian Sara Errani in the last eight after the 2012 runner-up took out the sixth seed Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Errani later read out a statement during her press conference warning journalists about misquoting her before sticking the paper on the wall for everyone to see.