Published: 7 September, 2009, 10:33
Edited: 8 September, 2009, 10:00
It has been a disappointing end to the weekend for Vera Zvonareva. She was the only Russian in action on Sunday at the U.S. Open, but was unable to reach the quarterfinals.
Italian Flavia Pennetta crashed the just-turned 25-year-old’s birthday party, coming back from a set down to win the encounter.
The 10th seed regained momentum in the second and closed out the third to love.
It ended 3-6, 7-6, 6-0 and Pennetta will now try to stop Serena Williams’ bid for a 12th Grand Slam title.
The elder Williams, Venus, will be watching the quarters from the comfort of home, having fallen to the racket of a returning Kim Clijsters. A match full of momentum saw the 2005 Champion come out on top 6-0, 0-6, 6-4.
“Yeah, you know, I wasn't able to play 100%, but I gave my best. Unfortunately, I'm still not in the singles, but I can just continue to recover and get better, and hopefully my next event will be 100%,” Venus said to tournament's official website.
On the men's side of the draw, World No. 2 Andy Murray was in no mood for hanging around, brushing aside the challenge of Taylor Dent to advance to the 4th Round.
The 2008 runner up at Flushing Meadows remains very much in form for his first career Grand Slam and advanced to the last 16 in his sixth consecutive major tournament with a straight sets win, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Murray's nearest rival, Rafael Nadal, is also on pace after ousting compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the third round.
Both Nadal and Almagro were briefly treated for stomach muscle and back injuries respectively, but it was the World No. 3 who eventually came out on top 7-6, 6-4, 6-4.
While a large number of players appear to be nursing various ailments at this stage of the season, Rafa put his focus elsewhere.
“No, I don't want to talk about injuries. Sorry. No, no, I am a little bit tired to talk about injuries. I am here to try my best every day. I won the match in three sets, so I’m happy for that. I'm going to try my best next round. That's all,” Nadal said.