The French Open tennis champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and her fellow Russian Elena Dementieva have won their opening round matches at the Sydney International, one of the major lead-up events to the Australian Open.
Kuznetsova was given a tough workout from compatriot Alisa Kleybanova before winning 6-2 6-7 7-5.
Defending champion Dementieva had a much easier time in defeating Italy's Francesca Schiavone, a losing semi-finalist in Auckland last week, 6-2 7-5.
The other to progress was Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova over Virginie Razzano of France in straight sets in less than an hour to set up a second round clash with Dementieva.
Women's world number one Serena Williams has a first-round bye and was scheduled to meet Justine Henin in the second round before the Belgian pulled out with a leg injury sustained during her loss to Kim Clijsters in Saturday's Brisbane final.
