Seeds Mirnyi, Nieminen Bounced at ATP St. Petersburg

Both seeds in action fell Monday on the opening day at the St. Petersburg Open in Russia, with Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen ousting (3) Max "The Beast" Mirnyi in three sets, and Czech Robin Vik straight-setting (6) Jarkko Nieminen.

Carlsen had lost in the first round in 15 of his last 20 tournaments entering St. Pete.

"It's always very tough to play against Max Mirnyi," Carlsen said. "I'd already played him twice this year, winning in Memphis and losing in Nottingham. I'm glad I won today."

Both Russian wildcards were dismissed at the hands of Austria's Jurgen Melzer (d. (WC) Davletshin), and France's Cyril Saulnier (d. (WC) Kunitsyn).

Other unseeded winners into the second round were Frenchman Florent Serra (d. (Q) Bjorkman from a set down) and Romanian Andrei Pavel (d. (Q) Vanek).

On tap for Tuesday in St. Pete are Guillermo "G-Lo" Garcia-Lopez vs. (5) Kiefer, Kohlschreiber vs. (2) T.Johansson, (4) Youzhny vs. Beck (repeat of last year's final), (8) Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco vs. (WC) Philippoussis, Minar vs. K.Kim, (Q) Gabashvili vs. Juan "The Principality" Monaco, and Popp vs. (Q) Stakhovsky.