Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak bowed out of the U.S. Open on Friday. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)Inconsistency is part of what is keeping Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak from reaching the top tier in women's tennis, as shown by a one-sided loss Friday in the third round of the U.S. Open.
Flavia Pennetta of Italy drubbed Wozniak 6-1, 6-1 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadow, N.Y. Pennetta also scored a convincing win in the only previous meeting between the two players.
No. 2 Serena Williams, who is seeking her fourth U.S. Open title, also advanced with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain.
It was a big letdown for Wozniak, who will likely get a bump in the rankings from her No. 39 spot after strong wins earlier in the week over American Laura Granville and former two-time Grand Slam winner Amelie Mauresmo of France.
"[Pennetta] played really great tennis," said Wozniak. "She didn't make any mistakes, and nothing worked for me.… I tried to move the ball around and play solid, but it was difficult. My first-serve percentage wasn't too high. I have to give her the credit.
"My serve just went away. I was missing too many first serves and gave her the chances." Wozniak, 21, was looking to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career.
She hit just three winners and committed 21 unforced errors.
"On a day like today, you can't get down on yourself," said Wozniak. "It's disappointing. I wanted to reach a fourth round again [as at Roland Garros this season].
"But I saw how I was playing. I made too many mistakes. Nothing seemed there today. I tried to dig in but it was really tough today."
Pennetta advanced to face the winner of an all-Russian match between Elena Vesnina and Vera Zvonareva.
Williams, who has already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, overcame an early break in the second set to prevail against Martinez Sanchez.
Williams next meets 22nd-seeded Daniela Hantuchova, who defeated American Vania King 6-2, 6-2.
No. 8 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus lost to No. 26 Francesca Schiavone of Italy, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
In women's double action, No. 12 Alisa Kleybanova and Ekaterina Makarova of Russia defeated Canadian Marie-Eve Pelletier and France's Julie Coin 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round.
Top men's seeds advance
On the men's side, No. 2 Andy Murray of Great Britain defeated Paul Capdeville 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, 6-2. No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France knocked off Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
No. 6 Juan Martin del Potro, No. 9 Gilles Simon, No. 16 Marin Cilic and No. 24 Juan Carlos Ferrero also advanced.
With files from The Associated Press
