Rome - Jelena Jankovic failed Thursday to continue her quest towards a third straight title at the Rome International as the third seed crashed out to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in their quarter-final.

But the smiling Serb was not overly dismayed as she packed her bags for the weekend start in Spain of the new Madrid Masters on clay.

"It's great, because I got to play some matches on clay," she said after her Foro Italico win streak ended at a dozen victories dating to 2007.

"I won the tournament in Marbella and won two matches in Spain for Fed Cup and then played some matches as well in Stuttgart and here.

"I think I'm doing well for the preparation for the French Open, which is my main goal."

But last season's year-end number one admitted that something is missing.

"I wanted to win here for three times in a row, and unfortunately didn't happen for me. But it's not the end of world. All I care is to enjoy my tennis and to be happy. This is the way it goes. Somebody has to lose, and today it was me," she said.

Kuznetsova, the champion last weekend in Stuttgart, nudged ahead to 5-4 in her series with Jankovic and next faces the winner from Miami champion Victoria Azarenka, the Belarus sixth seed, and Estonian Kaia Kanepi.

Kuznetsova won through in 1 hour, 38 minutes, breaking Jankovic four times.

"She was playing very good tennis out there, hitting the ball very, very well with a lot of power and depth," said Jankovic. "She didn't allow me to play my game.

"I changed tactics in the second set, but it was too late. I missed on two set points in the second. Today was her day. She was the better player and deserved to win." (dpa)