Zvonareva survives stiff test in US Open

Second seed Vera Zvonareva survived another battle at the US Open today to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

The Russian was taken to three sets by Kateryna Bondarenko on Wednesday and, although it was straight sets against Anabel Medina Garrigues, she certainly did not have the contest all her own way.

Zvonareva, who lost to Kim Clijsters in the final 12 months ago, edged a tight first set and then let a break lead slip away in the second before hitting back to win 6-4 7-5 in exactly two hours.

Romania’s Monica Niculescu and Angelique Kerber of Germany will face each other next after both reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time.

Niculescu was particularly impressive, demolishing 27th seed Lucie Safarova 6-0 6-1, while Kerber defeated Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 6-3 6-1.