Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova suffered another early exit from the US Open, losing her second-round match in straight sets to Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
Krejcikova became a two-time Grand Slam champion in July by adding the Wimbledon title to her triumph at the 2021 French Open.
The 28-year-old reached the quarter-final on her main-draw debut at the US Open in 2021, but has since failed to get past round two in New York.
Eighth seed Krejcikova saved a set point on her own serve at 5-2 down and broke world number 122 Ruse at the next opportunity, only to then tamely drop her next service game to lose the first set 6-4.
Krejcikova served for the second set at 5-4 but Ruse, who struck the ball confidently throughout, broke the Czech twice in quick succession to complete a 6-4 7-5 win in one hours and 45 minutes.
Victory for Ruse sent the 26-year-old through to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career, at the 10th time of asking, and she sank to the floor in celebration after Krejcikova went long with a backhand on match point.
She will face 26th seed Paula Badosa of Spain in round three, with Badosa a 6-3 7-5 winner over American Taylor Townsend.
Former US Open finalist Madison Keys was another early winner on day three, defeating Australian teenager Maya Joint 6-4 6-0 in 62 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the 14th seed will face Belgium's Elise Mertens next.
Later, defending champion Coco Gauff takes on Germany's Tatjana Maria in the opening match of the evening session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, Victoria Azarenka, Daria Kasatkina and Elina Svitolina are among the other seeded players in second-round action on day three.
Harriet Dart, one of two British players through to round two of the women's singles, takes on 19th seed Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine.
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