* Q3 EPS $0.32 vs estimate $0.34 * Q3 rev $1.35 bln vs estimate $1.46 bln

* Q3 open orders 568,600; closed orders 438,700

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Fidelity National Financial Inc (FNF.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the No.1 U.S. title insurer, posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit but said the fourth quarter got off to a good start with open order volumes reaching a four-month peak in October. Third-quarter profit at the Jacksonville, Florida-based company was $73.4 million, or 32 cents a share. This compares to a loss of $198.3 million, or 95 cents a share the compny posted a year earlier amid the housing slump.

Revenue for the period rose 55 percent to $1.35 billion.

Analysts were looking for a profit of 34 cents a share, excluding items, on revenue of $1.46 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Fidelity National said 568,600 orders were opened in the quarter and 438,700 were closed, up a respective 40 percent and 68 percent from a year earlier.

Title insurance guarantees that property owners have title to property and can legally transfer that title. Many lenders require that buyers have the insurance before extending loans.

The quarter was the third since Fidelity National in December bought three title insurers, including LandAmerica Financial Group Inc's (LFGRQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co and Lawyers Title Insurance Corp.

Fidelity shares were almost flat after the bell after closing at $15.70 Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Anurag Kotoky in Bangalore; Editing by Vikram S Subhedar)