Last year’s runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the semifinals of the China Open, while Elena Dementieva fell at the same tennis complex where she won her Olympic gold medal 14 months ago.

The sixth-seeded Kuznetsova defeated fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, and will next face No.13 seed Nadia Petrova, who followed up her victory over soon-to-be No.1 Serena Williams with a quarterfinal win over Peng Shuai.

The Russian fourth-seeded Dementieva was upset by 12th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5 6-3. The Pole will play 14th seed Marion Bartoli in the semis, who advanced by upsetting seventh seed Vera Zvonareva.

The 2009 China Open champion will collect $775,500. (photo: Jean-Sebastien Marceau)

Now we can stop counting… Elena Dementieva of Russia and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark have quickly joined a bunch of top players in their early Pan Pacific Open exit.

Third seed Elena Dementieva was beaten 6-2 6-7(3) 6-1 by Kateryna Bondarenko in the second round, and was soon after accompanied by fourth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, who retired due to a viral infection, while trailing Aleksandra Wozniak 0-5 in the first set.

Dementieva had never in their four previous encounters lost a set to Kateryna Bondarenko, and she blamed bad line calls and fatigue for the outcome of today's match.

"There were way too many bad calls from the chair umpire today," said the Russian. "I'm surprised they don't have a challenge system at such a big event."

During the Pan Pacific Open here on Women’s Tennis Blog we just mentioned the numerous upsets. This time, we should give some well-deserved attention to Maria Sharapova, who almost double-bageled Samantha Stosur to enter the last 16. Stosur saved two match points at 0-5 in the second set, and lost 6-0 6-1.

Note: Just one Top 10 player, Serena Williams, didn’t enter the $2 million Tokyo event, and only two of the nine that entered the tournament have reached the third round – Jelena Jankovic and Victoria Azarenka. (source: Reuters, photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)

World No.6 Caroline Wozniacki and world No.5 Elena Dementieva join Top 2 players Dinara Safina and Serena Williams on the list of those who have qualified for the elite $4.45 million Sony Ericsson Championships in singles.

The finalist at the just-finished 2009 US Open Wozniacki will play the prestigious tournament for the first time, while Dementieva has qualified for the ninth time in her career.

The Dane and the Russian have each won three titles this year.

The season-ending Championships will take place at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, from October 27 to November 1, 2009. (photos: Ralf Reinecke, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

World No.4 Elena Dementieva has been honored in her home Russia, with the order given to citizens of high achievements. Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev put the Order of Honor on the left side of Dementieva's chest.

World No.70 Melanie Oudin upset fourth seed Elena Dementieva 5-7 6-4 6-3 in the second round of the US Open.

The American 17-year-old had never before this week won a US Open match. Actually, her first wins at a Grand Slam came at this year's Wimbledon, when she impressively reached the fourth round.

Dementieva was one of the favorites for the title, but instead Oudin handed the Russian her joint-earliest ever exit at the US Open.

Oudin’s opponent in the third round will be either three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova or another US teenager Christina McHale.

Additional info: Melanie Oudin is sporting the one-of-a-kind adidas Barricade V’s (pictured) that she personally designed for her US Open campaign. (photo via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)