Kuznetsova crashes out of US Open

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NEW YORK, Aug 30(AFP): 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 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 No. 1 world rankings. Ivanovic was shockingly upset on Thursday by a French qualifier Julie Coin and now Kuznetsova follows here out of the tournament.