PARIS — If Caroline Wozniacki truly was torn up inside about her latest loss at a Grand Slam tournament, she certainly hid it well.
Wozniacki smiled and shrugged while deflecting questions about being No. 1 in the rankings despite never having won a major title. Her wait for a breakthrough was extended Friday, when she was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by 28th-seeded Daniela Hantuchova in the third round of the French Open.
Wozniacki’s early exit came a day after No. 2 Kim Clijsters was eliminated by 114th- ranked Arantxa Rus, marking the first time the top two seeded women failed to make the round of 16 at any Grand Slam tournament in the Open era, which began in 1968. It never had happened at the French Open since it began admitting foreign entrants in 1925.
Hantuchova explained the surprises this way: “It just shows how strong women’s tennis is at the moment. It’s very open.”
As if to prove that point, another French Open title contender, 2010 runner-up and 2009 semifinalist Sam Stosur, was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 by 51st-ranked Gisela Dulko.
The most anticipated matchup of the day did not finish. Novak Djokovic, who is on a 41-match winning streak, was tied at a set apiece with Juan Martin del Potro when play was suspended because of darkness.
