World number one Lindsay Davenport's hopes of a second U.S. Open title ended in dramatic fashion on Wednesday as she was beaten 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 by Russian sixth seed Elena Dementieva.
Second seed Davenport had a match point in the final-set tiebreak but Dementieva saved it before winning 8-6 to set up a semi-final against 12th seed Mary Pierce of France.
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"I think this is a lucky place for me and I am just so excited right now."
A lethargic Davenport was broken four times as Dementieva ripped through the first set in 27 minutes, with her own serve, which had yielded 50 double faults in her opening four matches, holding up well.
Davenport looked rattled but as the match progressed the Dementieva double faults began to creep in and the 1998 champion bounced back to level the match.
Dementieva, the runner-up last year, served for the match at 6-5 in the third set but Davenport broke back and then held a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak, only to see the Russian reel off three straight points to clinch victory.