Second-seeded Russian tennis star Svetlana Kuznetsova fell to Japan's Ai Sugiyama (2-6, 6-4, 6-3) in one of several third round upsets at the WTA's Acura Classic in San Diego, California Thursday.
Eighteen-year old Anna Chakvetadze upset fellow-Russian and ninth-seed Elena Likhovtseva (6-3, 6-1), while China's Shuai Peng ousted 16th-seed Dinara Safina (7-6, 6-0) of Russia.
But fifth-seed Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, sixth-seed Mary Pierce of France and No. 7 seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium all survived their matches to advance to the fourth round of the tournament.
Schnyder beat Francesca Schiavone (6-7, 6-1, 6-4) of Italy, and will meet Pierce next. Pierce beat fellow French player and 10th seed Nathalie Dechy in straight sets (7-5, 6-3).
Clijsters continued her mastery of U.S. hardcourts when she powered past Jelena Jankovic (6-1, 6-3) of Serbia and Montenegro. Clijsters is unbeaten on U.S. hardcourts since the 2003 U.S. Open final.
Japan's Akiko Morigami struggled past India's Sania Mirza but earned a three set match victory (6-2, 4-6 and 6-4).
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.