Fish, Davydenko Headline Winners at ATP St. Petersburg

"I am really happy to be here in Russia," Fish said. "It is a trip I was looking forward and it is great to be moving to the next round here."

No. 5-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko also advanced much to the delight of the St. Pete fans (d. countryman (WC) Kunitsyn in three), while No. 6-seeded Spaniard Dave Ferrer was beaten in straights by Czech Radek Stepanek.

Other unseeded players into the second round were Frenchmen Cyril Saulnier (d. A. Martin 0-and-1) and Julien "United Colors of" Benneteau (d. countryman Clement in three).

"I am happy because it wasn't an easy first round," Benneteau said. "I have been practicing with Arnaud the entire past week, I know him really well so play against him here in St. Petersburg in the first match is not the easiest."

Also completed was the last round of qualifying, with four players onto the big dance in Jan Vanek (CZE), Alexander Peya (AUT), Michael Kohlmann (GER), and Andy Ram (ISR).

On Tuesday's schedule in St. Pete are (WC) Rosset vs. "Grinning" Greg Rusedski in a serving contest (Brit leads career series 4-3), (8) Andreev vs. Muller, (Q) Ram vs. (4) Youzhny, (WC) Elgin vs. (7) Llodra, "Dr." Ivo Karlovic vs. (2) Dominik "The Dominator" Hrbaty, Beck vs. (Q) Vanek, Mathieu vs. Corretja, Ricardo Mello "Yello" vs. Max "The Beast" Mirnyi, and (Q) Kohlmann vs. Carraz.