After reaching this stage of the US Open for the first time since 2010, Venus Williams fell to Sara Errani in the third round. After splitting the first two sets at love, the third set went to the tiebreaker. Williams clawed back in the final set but would drop the match 5-7 on the tiebreaker thanks in part to 52 unforced errors. 

Williams had a terrible first serve success rate at just 51% for the match, as opposed to Errani's 86% rate. Errani took the first set at 6-0 after 18 unforced errors from Williams. Williams reduced that to just eight in the second set to take it 6-0 and set up the deciding third set. The final set was highly contested with both players finding success at the net. Williams continuously went for the winner producing 21. However, she had 26 errors and dropped the 11th game of the set after a 27-shot rally. 

Williams can now focus on doubles with sister Serena. Women's doubles is still in the second round and the date and time for the Williams sisters' next match is yet to be determined.

Number-Two Ranked Player Ousted

Simona Halep lost to 32-year old Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in straight sets. Lucic-Baroni had to come through the qualifier and has now beaten three ranked players. She will now face the 13th-ranked Errani in the fourth round. This is Lucic-Baroni's eighth tournament this year and she had failed to make it to the third round in all previous competitions. 

Halep was broken in her first service game after being up 1-0 in the first set. Halep went up 5-2. She failed to earn a point in her service game at 5-4, which turned the tide completely. Halep was deflated at this point and went on to lose the tiebreaker and then fall 2-6 in the second set. Lucic-Baroni had 31 winners to Halep's 17. 

Another Women's Top 10 Goes Out

Angelique Kerber also lost on Friday to become the fourth women's top 10 player to falter. Belinda Bencic beat Kerber 6-1, 7-5 to move onto the fourth round. Bencic made it to the third round of three tournaments this year, so she will be in uncharted territory against Jelena Jankovic. Bencic is just 17 years old.

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