U.S. Open: Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova loses in first round

  Petra Kvitova, who had seemed ready to become the next big women's tennis star after her poised and athletic win at Wimbledon, Monday became the first reigning women's Wimbledon champion to lose before the third round in the open era of tennis.

Kvitova, seeded fifth in the tournament and ranked sixth in the world, moved slowly on the court Monday against Alexandra Dulgheru, a 22-year-old from Romania who is ranked 49th in the world. Kvitova's lackluster performance ended in a 7-6 (3), 6-3 first-round loss.

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-- Diane Pucin in New York

Photo: Petra Kvitova Credit: Jason Szenes/European Press Agency.