World number one Dinara Safina and three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova slumped to third-round shock defeats at the U.S. Open on Saturday, Xinhua reported.
Petra Kvitova, a 19-year-old Czech ranked 72nd in the world, and American Melanie Oudin, two weeks shy of her 18th birthday, rose to stardom with the upsets at Flushing Meadows.
Kvitova saved three match points in the 12th game of the final set before eliminating Safina 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5).
"I'm very happy. It was amazing," said Kvitova.
Kvitova will next play for a quarterfinal spot against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, who beat Italy's Sara Errani 6-3, 6-4.
"Disappointing. Very disappointing," said Safina, who is still seeking her first Grand Slam title.
Oudin stunned former world number one Sharapova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a showdown against another Russian _ 13th seed Nadia Petrova for a quarterfinal spot.
Petrova advanced with a 6-4, 6-1 win over China's Zheng Jie.
Sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova dispatched Israel's Shahar Peer 7-5, 6-1, to become the highest remaining seed in her half of the draw.
Argentina's Gisela Dulko ousted Kazak Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3, 6-4, and will next face Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko, who eliminated Australian qualifier Anastasia Rodionova 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Safina, Sharapova fall at U.S. Open
