SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA is taking advantage of her wide-open draw at the US Open.

Roger Federer struggled early with the John Isner’s booming serve before defeating the American wild card 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 6-2 on Saturday to advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

Novak Djokovic kept alive his hopes of ending Roger Federer’s dominance at the US Open in New York as the third-seeded Serb edged past Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova saw her reign brought to a crushing end on the opening day of the US Open at Flushing Meadows but top seed Maria Sharapova had an easy passage into the second round.

Roger Federer will have to wait another day to try to tame a pro-Andre Agassi crowd and advance to the semi-finals of the US Open.