Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova became the latest casualty in the women's draw at the US Open, losing 6-3, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 to Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik in the third round on Friday.

This was the third career meeting between the two with Srebotnik holding a two to one edge after Friday's two hour, 20 minute match on Louis Armstrong Stadium court.

"I didn't take advantage of her second serve. I was making too many mistakes," said Kuznetsova, who reached the final last year where she lost to Justine Henin.

Srebotnik had more double faults (five to four) but had 13 aces and played better on the big points in the tiebreaker.

The 28th-seeded Srebotnik advanced to the fourth round where she will face either Patty Schnyder of Switzerland or Magdalena Rybarikova.

Kuznetsova, who won here in 2004, started the tournament as one of five players chasing Ana Ivanovic for the number one world ranking. Ivanovic was shockingly upset on Thursday by a French qualifier Julie Coin and now Kuznetsova follows here out of the tournament.

Even if she made the final in New York, Kuznetsova's chances of being number one disappeared when Ivanovic won her first round match.

"It is so messed up," Kuznetsova said of rankings. "I don't get anything of who's going to be number one.

"For me the toughest player of the summer was Dinara Safina."

The 27-year-old Srebotnik, who lives in Dubai, is enjoying her best US Open in 10 straight appearances.

She reached the third round in 2006 where she lost to Lindsay Davenport.

Earlier this year in the French Open she stunned world number five Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the third round.

AFP

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