Davydenko advances, China's Li falls

MOSCOW: Top seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia advanced to the second round of the $2.4-million ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup here on Tuesday, beating Frenchman Florent Serra in straight sets.

Davydenko, fifth in the ATP rankings, came through 6-1, 7-5 in one hour 18 minutes to record his second win over Serra in their third head-to-head meeting.

Davydenko, 27, broke early for a 3-0 lead. He increased his advantage with another break in the sixth game to lift himself one set up in 32 minutes.