Maria Kirilenko of Russia is making her way through the draw at the 2010 WTA Internazionali BNL d’Italia currently being played May 2-9 in Rome, Italy. In reaching the Quarterfinals, she knocked off No. 5 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in round 2. In round 3, she defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Kirilenko now faces No. 1 seed, Serena Williams of the USA in the Quarterfinals.
Another big upset in Rome was achieved in round 2 by Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania who defeated No. 3 seed, Dinara Safina of Russia, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1. Dulgheru was then ousted by No. 14 seed, Nadia Petrova of Russia, 0-6, 6-3, 2-6.
Former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, who has dropped in the rankings to No. 58, has spoiled the tournament for two top seeds, No. 9 seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, 6-4, 6-4 in round 2, and also No. 6 seed, Elena Dementieva of Russia in round 3. Ivanovic now faces No. 14 seed, Nadia Petrova of Russia in the Quarterfinals.
No. 2 seed, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was taken out by unseeded Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain in round 3, 4-6, 2-6.
The last top 10 seed upset was accomplished by Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic in round 3, winning over No. 8 seed, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(1).
Heading into the Quarterfinals, there are only three top 10 seeds left, including No. 1 seed, Serena Williams of the USA, No. 4 Venus Williams, also of the USA and No. 7 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.
