US Open 2016: Simona Halep cruises past Carla Suarez Navarro into the quarter-finals

The world number five looked set to make short work over her 12th-ranked opponent with a comfortable 6-2 opening set display on the Louis Armstrong court at Flushing Meadows.

But Suarez Navarro made Halep work harder for her victory in the second set with a spirited performance. The Spaniard came to the net far more in the second set, forcing Halep away from her natural style and putting the pressure on when it came for the Romanian to serve out for the game.

But even a tactically timed toilet break by Suarez Navarro, taken with Halep still needing just a single game to take the match, wasn't enough to force a third set.

Halep will face the winner of Serena Williams' match with Yaroslava Shvedova due to take place later on Monday.

"I'm really happy I could win this match. It's really tough to beat her. I just gave everything I had," Halep said in an on-court interview.

"The next round will be a very tough one, so I want to enjoy this victory today."