The seventh-ranked Dementieva has now lost two matches after Tuesday's defeat to U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova and has little chance of reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2000.

Later, Sharapova played two-time champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium and opening day winner Nadia Petrova of Russia can inflict a second loss on Switzerland's Martina Hingis.

The fourth-ranked Kuznetsova took advantage of Dementieva's erratic serve to take the first set. Dementieva won less than half of first-serve points, but made fewer unforced errors from the baseline.

Dementieva broke Kuznetsova when trailing 5-3 before holding serve for the first time in four games. But Kuznetsova held serve and broke Dementieva for the third time to take the first set.

Kuznetsova took control of the second set, breaking Dementieva with a forehand winner and a 2-0 lead. She held serve _ saving four break points _ and the match went on serve until a netted backhand by Dementieva sealed it.