Easy day at the office for Kuznetsova

MONTREAL // The Russian fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova was the first player through to the third round of the Montreal Cup when compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva retired with a shoulder injury. Kuznetzova, the 2004 US Open champion, easily won the opening set 6-1 and was up 1-0 in the second when Kudryavtseva, unable to serve, gave up. "There is not much really to talk about, I was attacking, put solid pressure on her second serve," Kuznetzova said. "She made many double faults. Also she said she had pain in her shoulder."

Kuznetzova led a Russian charge on the Montreal hard courts with Nadia Petrova, Maria Kirilenko and Alisa Kleybanova all advancing with straight set victories. Petrova needed only 44 minutes on centre court to book her place in the second round, the 12th seed crushing local hope Marie-Eve Pelletier 6-0, 6-1. The 13th seeded Kirilenko eased past Briton Anne Keothavong 6-1, 7-5, and Alisa Kleybanova thumped American Ahsha Rolle 6-4, 6-2.

Belarusian 11th seed Victoria Azarenka swept past the American Jamea Jackson 6-1, 6-1. Japan's Ai Sugiyama provided the only upset of the day session when she beat the 16th seeded Czech Nicole Vaidisova 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. * Reuters