Pavlyuchenkova has returned to the last eight of the French Open for the first time in 10 years after a three-set victory over Azarenka.
The Russian upsets No.3 seed Sabalenka in three sets and will next face No.15 seed Victoria Azarenka.
Round 1 of the French Open 2021 began on Sunday (May 30), and Japan's Naomi Osaka started the tournament with an easy win.
Pliskova rallied from a set down to beat Gauff; No.11 seed Jennifer Brady had it easy against Venus Williams.