Simona Halep will play Johanna Konta in a fascinating-looking Wimbledon quarter-final after she ended Victoria Azarenka’s hopes of winning her first Grand Slam title since becoming a mother with a relatively comfortable 7-6(3) 6-2 victory. The Romanian played superbly, hitting 19 winners and making just 11 unforced errors and her excellent form at Wimbledon so far has made a mockery of pre-tournament suggestions that she might struggle after her French Open disappointment.

She said, “I think I'm stronger mentally and my game is stronger too. I feel like I’m playing much better than previous years (here). I feel confident. I feel that I always have a chance when I go on court. I really believe in myself that I can win every match I play. I think that's the most important thing.” The Romanian commented on some of the changes in her game. She said, “I try to be aggressive when it's important, and also to move better with stronger legs. I think I serve much better. Also, I worked on my return.”

Halep, who is yet to drop a set at Wimbledon, also talked about facing Konta next. She said, “We’ve played on hard court and clay court, but never on grass. It's going to be a big challenge for me. She's a good player and she's playing well here. But I believe that I have a chance. I'm ready for it.” She continued, “I think she hits the ball hard, she stays very close to the baseline. She's aggressive and she's serving well. I think she's a good at everything.”

Konta booked her last-eight meeting with the Romanian by battling hard to beat Caroline Garcia 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4. It was a closely-fought, high-quality match as the Brit hit 29 winners to just 14 unforced errors and the Frenchwoman hit 39 winners to just 22 unforced errors, but Konta played the important points just that little bit better to come through.

The Brit said, “I think it was a very close match. I stayed mentally quite tough. I tried to really knuckle down on every single point I could. She was serving very, very well, so it definitely wasn't easy to be active in her service games. I just kept on trying to get some momentum and some points under my belt.”

Konta also responded to questions about whether she can win Wimbledon this year. She said, “Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of becoming a Grand Slam champion. But right now I'm at the quarter-final stage. I'm playing against an incredibly tough opponent next. That's my next battle. That's all I've got my mind on.”

There is another excellent quarter-final in prospect when five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams takes on French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. The American, 37, brushed aside the challenge of 19-year-old Ana Konjuh today as she beat her 6-3 6-2 in just 66 minutes, while the Latvian, 20, powered to a 6-3 7-6(8) victory over World No.5 Elina Svitolina.

It took Ostapenko eight match points to close out her match. She said, “When I was serving for the match, 5-3, 40-15, I knew if I make a good serve or something, I can win it. Then it went away and I lost three games in a row. I didn't really want to play a third set, so I'm glad that I fought hard and won the match.” The Latvian is pleased with her form. She said, “I think I’m playing better every match, like at the French. So, I hope I can keep it up.”

Ostapenko will be on Centre Court against Venus and she is relishing the chance to play there. She said, “I like to play with a lot of people watching me, with a crowd. I really enjoy that. I don't like it when I play and very few people are watching the match. It's not fun. It's more fun when a lot of people are watching it and the crowd is really loud.” The Latvian believes she has “nothing to lose” against Venus, while the American is wary of her opponent’s confidence. She said, “She had an amazing moment (at the French Open), so she's riding on that momentum.”

Svetlana Kuznetsova, 32, played superbly to beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-4 and reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2007. She said, “When you look at the statistics, it's amazing. But it's just another quarter-final and it's going to be a competitive match, so I'm looking forward to it.” The Russian will now face Garbine Muguruza in an intriguing last-eight clash.

However, the World No.8 explained that she was surprised about the lack of attention paid to her by the media in the build-up to the tournament. She said, “I have been out here a while, and I have seen it all, and since I was a kid they told me I was never going to be anywhere near the top. So I'm used to that. It doesn't matter. The important thing is to understand that opinions don't matter. Your game and your belief in yourself are what matters.” She continued, “Coming to Wimbledon, I didn't have any press before the tournament. I thought, ‘Why not?’ And then I thought, ‘OK I had too much of it at the French Open, too much pressure.’ And I felt better here, more free. It actually helped me, and I don't care if people don't believe. It's their choice.”

The fourth quarter-final features Coco Vandeweghe, who is yet to drop a set and has progressed to the last eight more serenely than anyone else in the women’s draw, against Karolina Pliskova’s conqueror Magdalena Rybarikova. The American 24th seed beat Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 6-4 in the fourth round, while the unseeded Slovakian overcame Petra Martic 6-4 2-6 6-3.

Vandeweghe said, “I think I just stuck to my guns. It wasn't as straightforward as maybe it might have looked out there. Caroline is a tough opponent to play. There were some difficult moments, difficult games. I was up a break in the first set, but she fought back.” The American credits new coach Pat Cash for her improved focus on court. She said, “I think it's kind of the demand he has in that regard. It's hard to explain how he demands it, besides just the respect factor of, ‘Okay, he's asking this of me, so I'm going to do everything in my power to give what he's asking.”’

After her win, Rybarikova said, “It's an amazing feeling for me. I'm in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, which was obviously my dream. Now it's happening.” She continued, “The match was very intense today, and it was very difficult to play Petra. She played very well. I think it was a good match. So, I'm happy that I got through.”

The Slovakian is not sure how she has got this far. She said, “I had a very good grass season. I was quite confident about the first round, and I was not thinking any further. Then when I saw the second round, I thought it was going to be very difficult, because I think Karolina was the favorite to win this title here. I know she won Eastbourne. So I knew it was going to be an amazing, tough match. Somehow I won. And then obviously (my section of the draw) was more open. But I had to beat a player like her. I'm speechless about everything right now. I'm so happy.”