Serena Williams cruised to the quarterfinals, while Ekaterina Makarova eliminated Eugenie Bouchard on a sizzling hot day at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows New York on Monday.

World No. 1 Williams registered her 17th consecutive win at the tournament after defeating Kaia Kanepi in two straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and five minutes.

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The 17-time Grand Slam champion has only dropped two sets in 17 matches since 2012 and both came from Victoria Azarenka.

Williams, 32, has not been doing well in the slams this year, in fact, this is the first Grand Slam event that she has made the quarters.

"I'm playing a little better I think than I was in the beginning of the year," Williams said. "I'm also a little more relaxed. I didn't play well again until I think maybe Cincinnati."

Williams will face Flavia Pennetta of Italy who has reached the quarter for the second year in a row and defeated Casey Dellecqua earlier, 7-5, 6-2.

Pennetta have doubts on defeating Williams after winning only one set in all of their encounters.

"She's better than me," Pennetta said. "But if I still believe I can beat her, maybe if she doesn't have a good day I can do that."

Russian Makarova also entered her second consecutive year in the quarter-finals of the event after defeating a worn out Bouchard, 7(7)-6(2), 6-4.

The scorching heat got to Bouchard in the second set as she asked for medical attention.

The breather helped Makarova even more as she continued her assault to defeat the 20-year-old Canadian in an hour and 44 minutes.

"It was really help for me," Makarova said. "I had some time to recover and also use some ice bags."

Bouchard on the other hand had a stellar year in the majors having entered the semis in both Australian and French Opens, and the finals at Wimbledon but admitted on not being prepared for the last Grand Slam of the year.

"Since Wimbledon it's been a little bit of a struggle with nagging injuries," Bouchard said. "I haven't had the proper preparation. I have really cut down on practice time."

Makarova will have a tough time in the quarters as she is set to battle it out against the winner of the Victoria Azarenka and Aleksandra Krunic match.

Tagsserena williams, Ekaterina Makarova, Victoria Azarenka, Flavia Pennetta