US Open round-up: Wozniacki and Kvitova progress, Cibulkova sent packing

Updated 03/09/2016 at 02:53 GMT

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Czech star Petra Kvitova came safely through their tests in the third round of the US Open on Friday.

Caroline Wozniacki - US Open 2016

Image credit: Reuters

Wozniacki turns on style to make second week

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki breezed through her third round match against Monica Niculescu, winning 6-3 6-1 on Arthur Ashe court.

Wozniacki was a little flat-footed throughout the first set of the match, but dug in well to claim the advantage.

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Highlights: Wozniacki breezes past Niculescu

In the second set she cut loose, however, winning with ease to make the round of 16, grinning ear-to-ear as she waved to the crowd after wrapping up match point to make it into the second week of a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2015.

"She really makes you feel like you can't play at all," the former world number one said of her highly unorthodox opponent.

Wozniacki: I won't need to go for a run later!

"You have to be ready to grind and it's not pretty but I got a good workout in there.... I won't have to go for a run this afternoon!"

Next in line for Wozniacki is either American Madison Keys or Japan's Naomi Osaka.

Cibulkova stunned by Tsurenko

There was a major as twelfth seed Dominika Cibulkova went out against Lesia Tsurenko, 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Like Keys, Cibulkova won the first set and looked on course for a comfortable victory.

Highlights: Tsurenko shocks Cibulkova from a set down

But the Ukrainian produced some sublime tennis – including perhaps the best defensive point of the tournament so far – to pull off a memorable coup.

Cibulkova walked quickly from the court, while Tsurenko – who seemed to be struggling towards the end with a heavily-strapped leg – was left helplessly sobbing tears of joy after making the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, at the age of 27.

The best defence you'll ever see in a tennis point? Tsurenko wins incredible point v Cibulkova

Kvitova too good for Svitolina

Petra Kvitova produced a high quality display of tennis to beat Elina Svitolina in straight sets 6-3 6-4 in the third round of the US Open.

The twice Wimbledon champion, seeded 14th, was made to work incredibly hard by the 22nd seed, with lengthy rallies full of power hitting deciding many points.

Highlights: Kvitova sees off Svitolina

Kvitova raced into a 4-0 lead in the second set, only to let slip her grip and lose the next four games in a row.

Kvitova then held to make it 5-4, and in the next game Ukraine's Svitolina then saved one match point while serving at 4-5 and 30-40 down.

Having saved that one, she gifted Kvitova a second opportunity with a poor shot - this time the Czech took it, manipulating her young opponent out of position to force the error and progress to the second week of the tournament.

Petra Kvitova at the 2016 US Open

Image credit: AFP

Vinci battles through the pain against Witthoeft

Last year's beaten finalist Roberta Vinci winced in pain throughout the later stages but somehow made it over the finish line to beat Carina Witthoeft 6-0 5-7 6-3 in the third round of the US Open.

2016, Roberta Vinci, US Open, AFP

Image credit: AFP

The Italian started the match in stunning fashion, bagelling her opponent in the first set.

Vinci then served for the match in the second set, only to lose her rhythm and allow the 21-year-old right back into it.

Vinci held firm thereafter, however, to win the match - though she clearly appeared to be feeling the effects as she won the match, wincing even as she got out of her chair for the post-match interview.

"It's not east always at the end, it's tough," she said.