Jelena Jankovic became the latest big name casualty at the US Open after Yaroslava Shvedova edged a final set tie-break.
Seeds drop like flies in Safina's quarter
Fifth seed Jelena Jankovic has become the latest big name casualty in the US Open after Yaroslava Shvedova edged a final set tie-break.
The 55th ranked Kazakhstan player produced a phenomenal display of clean hitting during the two hour and 40 minute contest to dump last year's beaten finalist out of Flushing Meadows 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6).
Shvedova could meet top seed Dinara Safina in the quarters should she win her next match against Argentine Gisela Dulko - a straight-sets victor over 30th seed Alona Bondarenko earlier on Thursday.
Having followed Melanie Oudin's upset of fourth seed Elena Dementieva on Arthur Ashe court, Jankovic looked uncomfortable from the start and was broken early in the opening set by the aggressive Shvedova.
The Serbian did not offer much resistance and at 5-3 down a wayward forehand allowed Shvedova to break again and take the first set.
Leveller
It was not looking good in the second set either as Jankovic went 4-2 down when Shvedova broke her serve but the Serbian broke back in the next game and eventually levelled the match, albeit in a sluggishly contested tie-break.
Having done that, Jankovic promptly surrendered the initiative and twice gave Shvedova the opportunity to serve for the match, but the Kazakh faltered on both occasions as the unrelenting final set went into a deciding tie-break.
Some loose play from both wings saw Shvedova hand Jankovic two match points, however the 21-year-old was not be denied her famous win as a forehand winner and an ace down the tee sealed the Serb's fate.
When asked if what her expectations were for the rest of the tournament Shvedova told
Sky Sports: "I didn't watch the draw, I don't know where I'm standing - I think I'm on top of the draw."
Joining Jankovic out of the exit door was 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki after she perished to Austrian qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 6-3 3-6 7-5. Her reward is a third round clash with unseeded Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko.
