Paris:
Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has been upset in the third round of the French Open by 30th-seeded Maria Kirilenko.
Kirilenko edged the sixth-seeded Kuznetsova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in an all-Russian match Friday to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.
Kuznetsova narrowly averted a loss in the previous round, when she saved four match points before coming back to win. She delayed her departure briefly Friday, too, saving two match points before Kirilenko converted her third when Kuznetsova pushed a backhand wide.
The loss means Kuznetsova will drop out of the top 10 in the rankings for the first time in more than four years.
Kirilenko edged the sixth-seeded Kuznetsova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in an all-Russian match Friday to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.
Kuznetsova narrowly averted a loss in the previous round, when she saved four match points before coming back to win. She delayed her departure briefly Friday, too, saving two match points before Kirilenko converted her third when Kuznetsova pushed a backhand wide.
The loss means Kuznetsova will drop out of the top 10 in the rankings for the first time in more than four years.
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