Justine Henin has fallen well short in her bid for a fourth title at the German
Open.
Despite making a strong start against Dinara Safina, the top-seeded Belgian suffered a 5-7 6-3 6-1 defeat to the 13th-seeded Russian in their third-round meeting.
It was Henin's first tournament since early April because of a knee injury.
Henin, who won the German title in three straight appearances during 2002, 2003 and 2005, appeared well on her way to a fourth after overwhelming Taipei's Yung-Jan Chan 6-0 6-2 following a first-round bye.
However, Safina took advantage of seven double-faults by the world No.1, forging eight break points during the match.
Henin was not the only seeded player to be ousted, as third-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova lost 1-6 6-2 6-2 to Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine.
Kuznetsova, who lost to current world No.2 Ana Ivanovic in last year's final, won just 52% (12 of 23) of second-serve points while Bondarenko claimed four break points to advance to just her second quarter-final this season.
Bondarenko next will face unseeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who advanced with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Argentina's Gisela Dulko after upsetting sixth-seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze in the second round.
Serena Williams avoided suffering the same fate as Henin and Kuznetsova, cruising to a 6-3 6-1 victory over 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
Fifth-seeded Williams converted five breaks and needed just 57 minutes to dispatch Radwanska.
Seventh seed Elena Dementieva had little trouble advancing during her third-round match, posting a 7-5 6-3 victory over Russian compatriot Vera Dushevina.
Second seed and defending champion Ivanovic continued her quest for a second straight title with a 7-5 4-6 6-4 victory over Austria's Sybille Bammer.
Ivanovic's win set up a meeting with No.10 seed Hungarian Agnes Szavay, who ousted eighth-seeded Marion Bartoli of France 7-5 7-5.
Fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia advanced with a 6-2 6-4 win over unseeded Russian Maria Kirilenko.
Third Round Results of the WTA German Open, Berlin
13-Dinara Safina (Russia) def. 1-Justine Henin (Belguim) 5-7 6-3 6-1
2-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) def. Sybille Bammer (Austria) 7-5 4-6 6-4
15-Alona Bondarenko (UKR) def. 3-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 1-6 6-2 6-2
4-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) def. Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 6-2 64
5-Serena Williams (USA) def. 11-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 6-3 6-1
7-Elena Dementieva (Russia) def. Vera Dushevina (Russia) 7-5 6-3
10-Agnes Szavay (Hungary) def. 8-Marion Bartoli (France) 7-5 7-5
Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) def. Gisela Dulko (Argentina) 6-3 6-1