Ana Ivanovic and Lucie Safarova reach French Open semi-finals

Ana Ivanovic was knocked out in the third round of the 2014 French Open

Seventh-seed Ana Ivanovic reached the French Open semi-finals after brushing aside Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-2 at a blustery Roland Garros.

Serbia's Ivanovic, the 2008 champion, overcame difficult conditions to produce a polished performance.

Ivanovic will face Lucie Safarova for a place in the final after the Czech beat Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

Safarova carried on from where she left off after defeating defending champion Maria Sharapova on Monday.

Muguruza survived a 10-minute seventh game in the opening set, saving four break points before Safarova swept through the tiebreak.

A crucial break in the sixth game of the second set was enough to put the 28-year-old on the way to the semi-finals.

"It's hard to explain my feelings....wow! I am excited and ready to face Ana," said Safarova.

Ivanovic, 27, last made the semi-finals of a major on her way to her only Grand Slam title in Paris seven years ago.

"The wind was really strong and the ball was bouncing all over the place so I just needed to stay calm and use my feet more," said Ivanovic.