French Open finalist Lucie Safarova and Timea Bacsinszky continued the drain of women's seeds at the US Open as the duo endured surprise defeats in the first round.
Both players pushed Serena Williams to three sets at Roland Garros in June but neither will challenge the American in New York after Safarova lost to Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko and Bacsinszky was beaten by Czech Barbora Strycova.
The exits follow an unpredictable first day at Flushing Meadows, which saw six seeds in the top half of the draw crash out, while third seed Maria Sharapova withdrew on Sunday due to injury.
There was, however, no shock defeat for number two seed Simona Halep, who led Marina Erakovic 6-2 3-0 before the New Zealander was forced to retire.
"I heard about the results yesterday," Halep said.
"All the players who lost yesterday, they had a great year at the beginning of the year - it's tough to stay focused all the year. I think it's normal.
"Last year I did the same thing. I played very well at the beginning and middle of the year, and then in America and Asia I didn't play so good.
"So I wasn't surprised. It's normal. I had this year already two grand slams where I lost in the first and second round, so always anything can happen."
Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber are safely through.
Wozniacki beat American Jamie Loeb, Azarenka defeated Czech Lucie Hradecka and Kerber knocked out Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru.
Source: PA
