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The rout was the most comprehensive win for the 2008 Roland Garros champion since the fourth round in Paris two years ago.
The Serb will play the winner of the day's second match between Asia's leading players, China's top seeded Li Na and 40-year-old Japanese Kimiko Date Krumm.
It took Ivanovic under an hour to secure the resounding victory, as third-seeded Pavlyuchenkova failed to get into gear, with the teenager notching up seven double faults and losing serve five times.
The win adds to growing confidence for the 24th-ranked Ivanovic, working her way back to form after falling to 65th this season. She last week parted company with Swiss coach Heinz Gunthardt, who could not travel with her full-time due to television commitments.
Evergreen Date-Krumm is oldest in the eight-strong field, comprised of winners of WTA International-level events in 2010.
Ivanovic qualified for the year-end field with her ninth career title last month in Linz, Austria - her first in two years.
The Serb's only niggles in the rapid-fire victory over Pavlyuchenkova were three break points, all saved. She constructed love games in both sets against an opponent clearly flustered on the day.
Ivanovic earned three match points from her sixth ace, with the Russian saving two before taking the loss. The four-day event ends Sunday with the final.
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