Fri Jun 27 10:56:52 2008

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Kuznetsova, Chakvetadze advance at Wimbledon

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Wimbledon, England (Sports Network) - A pair of highly-regarded Russians advanced in third-round action at rain-plagued Wimbledon on Friday.

After four days of tennis, a light drizzle forced officials to cover the courts nearly one-half hour after play began. The delay lasted 90 minutes.

After things resumed, fourth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova and No. 8 Anna Chakvetadze both moved on in straight sets. The U.S. Open runner-up Kuznetsova dispensed of Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4, while Chakvetadze downed countrywoman Evgeniya Rodina, 6-4, 6-3, at the All England Club.

Meanwhile, 18th-seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 win over Casey Dellacqua of Australia.

Other matches scheduled for Friday will feature top-seeded Ana Ivanovic, and sixth-seeded Serena Williams. Ivanovic, who barely survived her second- round match against France's Nathalie Dechy here on Wednesday, will face Chinese Jie Zheng, while the two-time Wimbledon champion Serena will be opposed by 29th-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, who captured the Wimbledon title just two years ago.

Ivanovic is the reigning Roland Garros champ and became the new women's No. 1 earlier this month.

Also on the Day-5 schedule is the 2007 Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli, the 11th seed here. Bartoli will take on American Bethanie Mattek.