How quickly will the defending champ be able to find her game?

After going from "the slowest surface to the fastest surface," the top seeds found a way to second-round victories on Wednesday.

"I kinda backed out," said the world No. 1 after watching a freer Varvara Gracheva push her into a third set Wednesday night.

The 17-year-old, who will face No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, won over fans at Roland Garros with a cheeky post-match interview.

The defending champion has now won 16 straight sets at the ASB Classic after dominating her quarterfinal opponent Varvara Gracheva, 6-1, 6-1.

The No.2 seed was a game away from losing on No. 1 Court, but won nine of the last 11 games.

Kostyuk is the first Ukrainian player to win a WTA singles title in more than a year.

Magda Linette, ranked a career-high 21st this week, has lost three of her past five matches.