Aryna Sabalenka defeated Yulia Putintseva in straight sets on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.

The number one seed, who finished runner-up here last year, found life tough in the opening set but ultimately prevailed 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.

Putintseva earned the first break of serve in the seventh game of the first set, only for Sabalenka to hit back with a break of her own in the 10th.

World number 29 Putintseva squandered a set point in the 12th game as the opener went to a tie-break, which Sabalenka took 7-2.

Having been two points from losing the opener of four occasions, the Belarusian found the second set a lot more straightforward.

A break of serve in the first game paved the way for Sabalenka to hold and see out the win in a time of one hour and 49 minutes.

Marie Bouzkova awaits Sabalenka in the last eight after upsetting Victoria Azarenka earlier on Thursday.

Data Debrief: Sabalenka improves after lukewarm start

Sabalenka struggled to find her full flow in the opening set, in which she recorded a first serve points won percentage of 69%, compared to 69.4% for her opponent.

However, the quality told in the second as Sabalenka increased that figure to 85% in what proved to be a deserved last-16 victory in Australia.