The 2003 U.S. Open women's champion rolled on. The 2004 champ wasn't so lucky.
Second-seeded Justine Henin-Hardenne made quick work of Shahar Peer, dispatching the Israeli 6-1, 6-0 in 50 minutes in the fourth round Monday. Sixth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova, however, lost to Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (5) 6-3, 6-2.
Kuznetsova hasn't had much success at Flushing Meadows since becoming the first Russian woman to win the singles title in 2004. Last year, she became the first defending women's champion to lose in the first round.
The 2004 runner-up, Elena Dementieva, reached the quarter-finals this year by eliminating Aravane Rezai of France 7-5, 6-4.
Jankovic, who beat No. 9 Nicole Vaidisova in the third round, reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Her previous best showing was getting to the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, when she knocked out Venus Williams.
Henin-Hardenne, with five major titles on her resume including this year's French Open, is bidding to make her fourth straight Grand Slam final. She will face the winner of Monday's match between Lindsay Davenport and Patty Schnyder in the quarter-finals.
``I walked on the court thinking that it could be a dangerous match because she's a young player and she has a lot of motivation,'' the Belgian said. ``That's probably why I won it pretty easily, because I was ready for it.''
Such went the early action on the first day of the post-Andre Agassi era at the Open.
Agassi couldn't conjure any more magic in his 21st consecutive Open, an event he won in 1994 and 1999. His ailing back _ and a 112th-ranked German qualifier named Benjamin Becker, 11 years his junior _ wouldn't let him. Agassi lost 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 in the third round of an event that was the first major he ever played, and now the last.
Becker was back in action Monday, slated to square off against 2003 champ Andy Roddick. Monday's biggest showdown was at night: former No. 1 and two-time Open champion Serena Williams vs. current No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, who's won two Grand Slam titles this year. Others in action: Maria Sharapova, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt and Robby Ginepri.
