Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return to Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia during the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

    CANBERRA, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Defending champion Serena Williams of the United States was axed out of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Friday.

    The 13th seed lost her third round match in straight sets to the 17th seed Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 and 7-6 (7-5) in one and a half hours.

    

Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia celebrates winning her match against Serena Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

    Hantuchova has never won over Williams in their three previous meetings.

    Hantuchova broke Williams' serve in the second game of the opening set and twice more after a rain interruption of more than 30 minutes when she was leading 3-1.

    She fought back from a break down in the second set and won thematch after squandering four match points.

    The Slovakian will play fourth seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth round. Enditem